Chihuly Collection

The Conservatory is currently displaying 18 installations of breathtaking Chihuly glass artwork from its collection, the largest private collection in a botanical garden. After several stunning exhibitions over the years, installations from the full collection will remain on permanent display. The Collection is on display daily and included with admission to the Conservatory.

The colorful glass artwork is placed throughout the Conservatory’s biomes and plant collections. The dynamic scenes highlight the connection between art and nature. To enhance the visitor’s connection to glass art, watch as artists create blown-glass works of art during daily demonstrations in the Conservatory’s Hot Shop, open from April through December.

Chihuly Nights

Explore the Conservatory after dark during these special events during which the Chihuly Collection is professionally illuminated against the backdrop of the interior Conservatory.

History of Chihuly at the Conservatory

Chihuly at the Conservatory

Dale Chihuly’s vibrant glass artwork makes a lasting impression on all who view it. The Conservatory was honored to be the second botanical garden in the world to host an exhibition by glass artist Dale Chihuly in 2003. Chihuly at the Conservatory had record-breaking attendance, and its success led a private, non-profit group, Friends of the Conservatory, to purchase most of the installations in the exhibition as a permanent collection for the Conservatory.

Chihuly: Celebrating Nature and Chihuly Nights

Nearly a decade after Chihuly at the Conservatory,  came Chihuly: Celebrating Nature. The Conservatory featured its entire Chihuly Collection plus five installations on loan from the Chihuly Studio in Seattle. The exhibition placed the stunning glassworks throughout the Conservatory’s biomes. To this day, this consists of the largest Chihuly Collection in a botanical garden.

Chihuly Nights were evening special engagements paired with the daytime exhibition. All installations were professionally lit to create a breathtaking view within the backdrop of the botanical gardens and courtyards. Due to their popularity, Chihuly Nights have been scheduled into 2024.

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