Cleveland Institute of Art student creates planetary glass installation to inspire, educate park visitors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2025

CLEVELAND—The Solar System, a glass installation by Cleveland Institute of Art senior Lane Grigson that depicts the eight planets in Earth's solar system, will inspire and educate viewers about the history and future of people in space.

Each planet in The Solar System is made of blown glass, with diameters ranging from 5 inches (Mercury) to 13 inches (Jupiter). They'll be internally lit and hang independently from the Robert McCullough Science Center's atrium ceiling at Geauga Park District's Observatory Park.

"Observatory Park hosts stargazing events, brings in classes and holds educational programs. What I wanted to do with The Solar System is that, when you walk in, you look up like you'd look up at the stars at some of their other events," says Grigson, who's studying Craft + Design at CIA. "It is important to me that there is a place for someone to learn about and experience space, but also a place that inspires creativity—a place that encourages learning and creation."

An opening event for The Solar System will be held from 7:30 to 11pm Friday, October 24 at Observatory Park (10610 Clay St., Montville Township). An artist talk will take place at 7:30pm. The talk will be followed by one of Observatory Park's Night Sky Viewing events, which invite visitors to observe the night sky through the Oberle telescope and other telescopes.

Following the opening, The Solar System will remain as a permanent installation at the Observatory Park, which is one of 111 Dark Sky Parks in the world and one of only two in Ohio.

"We're really excited to have Lane's The Solar System on display at Observatory Park," says Geauga Park District naturalist Chris Mentrek. "I'm thrilled that the public gets to experience this artwork in an astronomy-focused setting. Astronomy can feel like such a technical subject; it's great to see a more creative and artistic approach to outreach materials.

"Lane's glasswork is dazzling," Mentrek continues. "The planets become such delicate-looking, floating objects. The installation really captures the planets feeling simultaneously far away and close enough to touch."

The Solar System builds upon work and techniques honed during Grigson's four years at CIA. To learn more about his work, visit his website or follow him at @lanegrigsonart on Instagram.

The Solar System was organized through CIA's Creativity Works program, which is made possible by the generous support of the Fenn Educational Fund and the G.R. Lincoln Family Foundation. Creativity Works is a self-initiated internship program with the goal of supporting a student's professional development. Participating students create proposals that align with their long-term professional goals.

Contact

Cleveland Institute of Art
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404

Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 600 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars. 

About the artist

Lane Grigson is interested in telling stories involving science fiction worlds and mythologies. When he started using glass as a material to create art, he found that its unique properties allowed for interesting new ways to tell stories, different from what he had previously experienced. Specifically, he is most interested in how light interacts with glass to enhance the viewing experience.

Grigson creates work to separate the viewer from their reality. He likes to create objects and tell mystical stories that excite him as an artist and allow him to daydream about distant worlds and futures. He looks to use light as another material in conjunction with glass to tell stories. Creating a light and glass viewing experience allows him to transport the viewer out of reality for a brief moment and experience other worlds.