Recent visitors to the W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory at Wright Park may have noticed that the Tacoma oasis is a little more colorful.

Nestled into cracks and crannies, blending like Easter eggs in a garden, are more than 130 glass art pieces, artfully constructed to mimic the plants in shape and color.

The pieces were crafted by students from Hilltop Artists in Residence of Tacoma (HART) after a conservatory board member suggested the partnership. About 30 students in total worked on the project over the last couple months, and many even gave up nights and weekends to pull the project, called Glass in the Garden, together.

“The kids were definitely stretched, and they loved it,” said Kathy Anderson, who does outreach for HART. “It was just an honor to have them asked to do this.”

The students spent time studying plant forms from books and drew detailed sketches of what their pieces would look like. Some of the pieces were created to go with specific plants or in specific areas of the conservatory, Anderson said.

The exhibit features a variety of pieces. Some pieces stick up cleverly through bunches of flowers, like plants.

There are some like bulbs that lay on the ground. Other pieces hang from trees, like fruits. Brightly colored orbs also mimic fruits, nestled in the moss or wedged in the trees. Pots of glass curls mimic baskets of wild flowers.

The display even includes glass animals including a crab, a lizard, a fish and a tiny snail named Gary.

The exhibit also includes painted bamboo pieces, called talking sticks, on which students and parents illustrated subjects that are important to them.

The HART program took shape in 1994 and today reaches out to approximately 500 students annually with free glass classes during and after school, in the evening and in the summer. The program is aimed for students ages 12-20. Classes are held at Jason Lee Middle School and Wilson High School.

“We use glass and creation and art as a way to help kids discover themselves,” said HART Executive Director Kit Evans. “When they come here, it’s like a separate community. It’s safe, there are caring adults and they get one-on-one time with artists.”

Most of the students who worked on the Glass in the Garden project were advanced students, but every student in the HART program was invited to participate.

The HART students’ art pieces will be on display through April 19, when they will be auctioned off at a gala event. The gala will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the conservatory. To RSVP, call (253) 571-7670. Several of the students’ pieces are also for sale at the conservatory gift shop.