About WLBS
Five decades of building community, peace, and joy through the world's largest participatory art experience.
Our Story
The World's Largest Balloon Sculpture began in 1965 at the Unitarian Church in Sepulveda, California, when Dr. Mark Weiss had a vision: what if we could create art where everyone is right and you can't do it wrong?
That simple, revolutionary idea has grown into a global movement spanning over five decades. The balloon sculpture has been the featured event at Atlanta's Arts Festival Children's Day for twenty years, raised funds for Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center at Memphis in May, and brought communities together in Kansas City, Nashville, Roanoke, and beyond.
Each sculpture brings together hundreds of volunteers — artists, families, children, adults, people of all religious and ethnic backgrounds — to twist 50,000 long skinny balloons into one magnificent freeform creation.
The Rules That Change Everything
Everyone is right
You can't do a balloon sculpture wrong. Adults and children can participate in this peak art experience feeling safe and comfortable as well as challenged.
Children and adults are equals
Often one will see a nine-year-old directing adults as to where to place a block of balloons. This promotes shared power according to abilities.
If your balloon breaks, you get an automatic hug (optional)
Balloons are risky. When they pop, our nervous system can use the hug to relax. Hugs reward us for risking. Hugging heals.
The sculpture ends with a bang, not a whimper
At the height of its creation, it will be lowered and joyfully stomped. This releases stored energy and reminds us beautiful things can have graceful endings.
Use mechanical or bottled air
To avoid hernias and hyperventilation. In relationship, we sometimes must look outside for support and education.