Earlier in the year, Greenbelt Metro Apartments LLC, in partnership with the City of Greenbelt, commissioned WGS artist Erwin Timmers team to create three-dimensional artwork to be installed at Motiva, a new 354-unit residential development in Greenbelt, MD.
![](http://washingtonglassschool.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/motiva.concept.erwin_.timmers.recycled.sustainable.art_.public.maryland.dc_.wgs_.washington.glass_.studio.school.jpg)
The artwork design was to be a place marker that enlivens the Motiva Greenbelt complex and surrounding area. Erwin Timmers also outlined how sustainable design would be integrated into his design, using recycled glass.
Motiva Concept: Two tall stylized plant shapes will grace the side of the public plaza at the main entrance. The plant “stems” will be the structural elements and have branches coming out the sides which will
hold circular glass flower shapes. The structure will be made of powder coated steel, with a
coloring that shifts from green below to yellow and red above. The plant stems will bow outward
and then come closer together toward the top. They seem to form an entrance or gateway. The
two shapes will be similar, but uniquely different.
![](http://washingtonglassschool.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/motiva.public.workshop.glass_.art_-969x1024.jpg)
The glass inset panels that form the petal circles will be made with neighborhood community participation, in workshops held at the Washington Glass Studio.
![](http://washingtonglassschool.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/workshop.motiva.march_.glass_.recycled-1024x1022.jpg)
Timmers said that the inspiration for his nature inspired design comes from the MOTIVA complex’s natural surroundings and the environment. Flowering plants that are native to the area include Black-Eyed Susans, Asters, and more. Flowers are often a symbol of growth and opportunity, and the artist said “just as wildflowers need diversity to make a healthy eco-system, so do people…”
![](http://washingtonglassschool.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/motiva.workshop.public.community.recycled.erwin_.timmers-1024x977.jpg)
![](http://washingtonglassschool.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/motiva.frame_.support.public.art_.recycled-768x1024.jpg)
![](http://washingtonglassschool.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/motiva.frame_.steel_.art_.-768x1024.jpg)
The finished install date will be Mid-September – more about this great project as we get photos!!