Renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly returns to Atlanta Botanical Garden for ’16 exhibit
by Annzie Hine, contributor
“Chihuly in the Garden,” an exhibition featuring 21 original glass installations by Dale Chihuly, will return to the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) from April 30 to Oct. 30, 2016 after 12 years. According to the AJC, nearly a third of the artwork was created specifically for this exhibit. The vibrant glass sculptures will float in pools and hang among paintings and flowers.
The last time the Seattle glass artist’s work came to the Garden in 2004, visitation more than doubled, and memberships rose by 58 percent. ABG President and CEO Mary Pat Matheson, pushed by members, had pursued an Atlanta encore for six years.
Chihuly’s new exhibition will be displayed across the Garden’s 30 acres, including the Fuqua Conservatory and Fuqua Orchid Center. Installations are comprised of glass, resin, polyvetro and drawings. Visitors will be greeted by neon “Sunburst” outside of the future Linton’s in the Garden restaurant. An ABG permanent Chihuly sculpture, “The Nepenthes Chandelier,” hangs in the Hardin Visitor Center. “The Hornet Chandelier,” a new chartreuse installation created for Atlanta, will hang from the Kendeda Canopy Walk above a purple reed bed. Visitors will be dazzled by installation “Sol Del Citron” and the 30-foot-tall “Saffron Tower,” among many others.
Adult tickets for “Chihuly in the Garden” are on sale now at $21.95, with discounts for Garden members. Daytime exhibition hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday. Nighttime exhibition hours are 6-10 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday. The Garden is closed on Mondays. For more information about the exhibit, or to purchase tickets, click here.
