[ Revised & Updated June 1, 2011]

G.O.T. Balloons is a monthly Gathering Of Twisters of balloons.  It is based in Arlington, Texas in the USA.

If you are interested in balloons and particularly twisting figures out of balloons, then we recommend you visit this group when you are in their neighborhood.

They will tell you that:

"G.O.T. Balloons is an informal Gathering Of Twisters hosted by Stretch the Balloon Dude and Mrs. Stretch. We get together to jam, fellowship, share ideas, twist balloons and just have fun. We have a balloon jam almost every month and anyone interested in twisting balloons is welcome, regardless of their twisting experience. We have balloon artists that have been twisting a few months and others that have been making balloon art for a few decades. Some are hobbyists, while others are full-time balloon twisters."

"It is not a class, but you can still pick up and learn ideas through the sharing atmosphere or just by watching what others are doing. You’ll see balloon dogs, balloon hats, balloon people and any other balloon creation that you can think of. You can twist balloons, share ideas or just hang out and fellowship with other twisted balloon artists. If you love balloons this is a gathering of twisted people that you won’t want to miss. It is a come and go event, so stop by any time and stay for as little or as long as you like."

If you would like to be a part of this group then visit their web site at:
http://www.gotballoons.org/ You can learn more about them, sign up for their mail list and peruse photos from earlier gatherings.

There is a balloon jam scheduled for June 20, 2011

---  7:00 pm - 11:00 pm (but drop in for as large or small a part of the session as you like.)
---  Humperdinks Restaurant and Brewery
---  700 Six Flags Dr.
---  Arlington, TX 76011

Theme:  Super Heroes  --  Parodies of Super Heroes and Heroines  ...  Wear your favorite Super Hero shirt....

Cost:
---  $2.00 per person

BYOB:
---  Bring your own balloons and twisting supplies if you plan to twist.

Ages:
---  All ages are welcome, but you are responsible for the children you bring.

RSVP:
---  Please call or email and let them know if you’re coming.
-------  817-381-1636
-------  214-868-2917
-------  stretch@stretchc.com

via G.O.T. Balloons - A Gathering of Twisters monthly Balloon Jam.

Photo: Christie’s Images Ltd 2010

[REVISED & UPDATED
JUNE 2, 2011]

In October of 20110 we heard that a very special balloon flower  by artist Jeff Koons was going up for auction in November of 2010.  That was according to artdaily.org which reported that the giant version of a balloon flower would likely sell for 12 to 16 million dollars.  Even at over 11' by 9' by 8' in size and made in high cromium stainless steel  it was hard to imagine that this blue sculpture could sell for so much.  On the other hand,  a similar sculpture by Jeff Koons in magenta sold in London for over 25 million dollars in July of 2008.

NOW WE CAN REPORT  IT ACTUALLY SOLD FOR
NEARLY $17 MILLION DOLLARS

"• Balloon Flower (Blue) by jeff koons (b. 1955), from the Daimler Art Collection is one of the artist’s most important outdoor sculptures and belongs to his acclaimed and beloved Celebration series. This magnificent work, which has attracted sightseers and art lovers alike to the plaza in front of Christie’s Rockefeller Center Galleries, fetched $16,882,500 /£10,467,150/ €12,324,225. Balloon Flower (Blue) is the first in a series of only five Balloon Flowers in existence, each a different color."

Jeff Koons built this sculpture, along with others over a five year period, 1995 - 2000.  It seems like a long time, but how long would it take to make $16,000,000 worth of latex balloon flowers?  Better get started right away if we are going to finish in this lifetime!

Read more about Jeff Koons, this sculpture and related works at artdaily.org.

via Jeff Koons' Monumental Balloon Flower (Blue) to Highlight November 2010 Evening Sale.