World-renowned glass sculptor, Dale Chihuly, is known for incorporating his work into varied environments, from museums and gardens around the world to other unique indoor and outdoor settings. Here are five things to know before visiting a Chihuly exhibit.
The first time I visited a Dale Chihuly exhibit was by accident. I was visiting my sister in Phoenix, and we spent the day at the Phoenix Zoo with our children. As we dragged our tired kids out to the parking lot at the end of a long day with animals, my sister asked if I’d ever seen one of Dale Chihuly’s installations.
I had not.
So she dropped me off at the Desert Botanical Garden that shares Papago Park with the Phoenix Zoo and graciously headed home with all of the kids so I could explore Chihuly’s glass sculptures incorporated into the desert garden.
As a kid, I’d been dragged through every art museum under the sun by my artist mother, but I’d never heard of Dale Chihuly. To say his brilliantly colored and crafted glass sculptures are breathtaking would be an understatement. And to see them incorporated into the natural beauty of Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden was truly amazing.
But then it got better.
The sun slowly set in the west, providing brilliant bands of reds, oranges, and purples in the sky as tiny lights illuminated the glass pieces set among saguaro cacti, poppies, and succulents.
The experience turned me into a massive fan girl, and I’ve since visited the world-renown glass artist‘s exhibits at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and the glass sculptures incorporated into the beautiful Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. And when visiting Seattle recently, I was more excited to visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit at the foot of the Space Needle than I was to go up the World’s Fair landmark inspired by The Jetson’s.
Regardless of where you see a Chihuly exhibit, these are five important things to know before you go.
Have You Experienced a Chihuly Exhibit?
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1. It’s Likely Not Free
While you can see some of Chihuly’s glass sculptures in public places without an admission fee — like hanging from the ceiling in the lobby at the Bellagio in Las Vegas — that’s not the case for a Chihuly exhibition that incorporates approximately ten pieces into a botanical garden, art museum, or historic site.
Even if Chihuly’s work is exhibited at a venue that typically has no admission fee, like the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, there is nearly always a special ticket required to view these special exhibits.
Sage Advice: Here is a listing of all current and upcoming Chihuly exhibitions.
2. Check the Weather
Because Dale Chihuly’s work is inspired by the natural world and his exhibitions are designed to complement the selected venue, his work is often displayed outside. Be mindful of the weather when planning your visit.
Related Article: 10 Fun Facts About Glass Sculpture Artist Dale Chihuly
3. Purchase Tickets in Advance
There may be a long wait to purchase your tickets at the venue which cuts into your viewing time. Or tickets may be sold out for the first few days or weeks of a new exhibit, on weekends, or for special viewing opportunities like the nighttime viewings. It’s wise to consider purchasing your tickets in advance.
4. See the Exhibit in Different Light
Chihuly’s glass sculptures look different as the day progresses, from the soft light of the early morning to the bright sun at midday to illumination at night. If at all possible, try to experience his work in both daylight and at night.
5. There Might be a Glass Blowing Demonstration
If you’re lucky, the Chihuly exhibit you visit might include a glass blowing demonstration. Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the Corning Museum of Glass’s Hot Glass Roadshow provided live demonstrations and was included with the admission to the Chihuly exhibit at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. I had no idea how much strength, and teamwork, it took to create a piece of glass until watching the demonstration!
While I’m most certainly oversimplifying the process, the glass piece being produced is alternately heated up and turned to produce the size, style, and texture desired. There is actually a surprisingly small amount of glass “blowing” that takes place, with much more emphasis on turning.
Once the piece is finished, it is carefully “snapped” from the turning rod and cooled down slowly in a special cooling oven.
Have You Attended a Chihuly Exhibit?
Have you had a chance to visit a Chihuly exhibit somewhere in the world? Where was it? What did you enjoy most about Dale Chihuly’s glass scuptures? Share your experience in the comments section below.
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I saw an exhibit at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. At that time I didn’t realize there were exhibits all over the United States. I am planning to see more. Thanks for the list of exhibits.
Oh, you HAVE to see more of his work! Although the Chihuly sculpture on display at the Children’s Museum in Indy is the world’s largest!
At the Brooklyn botanical garden, his tribute to 911 has been my most memorable. I have been to 7 of his presentations and am hoping to go to Columbus for his most recent presentation.
The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is now at the top of my bucket list for my next trip to New York. Thanks for sharing! <3
I have been to his exhibits in Seattle, Crystal Springs, Phoenix, and a couple indoor exhibits such as in San Antonio at an art museum. Good work is fascinating and I look forward to future exhibits. I actually won a glass piece at Crystal Springs that was made by a corning expert. Made my day!
OMG, that is so cool that you won a piece at the Corning raffle at Crystal Springs! The demonstration they did was so cool, wasn’t it?!?
I saw one of his pieces at the Milwaukee Art Museum and there’s another at a convention centre in Chicago! They are AMAZING pieces! I’d love to go to one of his exhibitions!
He’s incorporating his amazing art into the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC starting in May. I hope to be able to see that before it closes this fall. 🙂