Lisa Browder

Dale Chihuly was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1941. He learned glass art while studying interior design and architecture at the University of Washington. After graduation in 1964, he went on to study glassblowing at the University of Wisconsin and then at Rhode Island School of Design. Offhand, I’d say he did all right.

As a visual person, I’m drawn to texture and color. I loved this collection but was a bit surprised that I did. I’d only seen one Chihuly piece many years before and I hated it. Back when I still lived in Las Vegas, they’d just completed the Bellagio Hotel, and the Chihuly chandelier in the lobby was touted city-wide as the thing to see. I’m not sure what I expected but that wasn’t it. I thought it was a garish eyesore. Probably says more about my artistic sensibilities than his talent, right? Anyway, I had avoided visiting the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg because I figured I’d dislike it. Boy was I mistaken.

Now granted, if you stuck either the carnival or the red chandelier in someone’s entryway, I might be back to unappreciative, but in a museum? Perfect. You have the opportunity to walk up close and admire the techniques involved. It’s fascinating. I can imagine forging a flower or a vase or a dish, but blending multiple colors? Amazing.

The Chihuly Collection is housed in the Morean Arts Building. It’s a sleek, modern presentation. The building also includes exhibition space for a rotating show of works for sale by artists from around the world. Be sure to have your platinum card handy. The cheapest price for a piece was $1,250. (My favorite was the Tree of Life – bottom right).

There are quite a few places to catch Dale Chihuly’s work. He has exhibitions at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington; Oklahoma City Museum of Art; Franklin Park and Botanical Gardens in Columbus, Ohio; Toyoma Glass Art Museum in Toyama City, Japan; Chihuly at Cheekwood in Asheville, Tennessee; and Fountain Focal Point in Atlanta, Georgia. If you’re in Las Vegas, Nevada, be sure to see the chandelier in the lobby of the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. (Maybe I’d appreciate it now).

If you log on to http://www.moreanartscenter.org, you can also find and sign up for interesting classes: clay, glass, drawing, painting, jewelry, metal sculpture, photography and print making.

Chihuly Collection is located at 719 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. There is a free parking garage immediately around the corner. They are open Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm. Call 727-822-7872, extension 2411 with any questions. The price for seniors is $18. Website: http://www.moreanartscenter.org.