In October, 2003, an exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s glass artwork opened. The combination of Chihuly’s vibrant colors and forms with the natural light provided by a glass house and the colors and forms of the Conservatory’s plant collections brought record crowds and made a lasting impression on all who viewed it.  When the exhibition closed in the summer of 2004, The Friends of the Conservatory – a private, nonprofit group – purchased most of the pieces included in that exhibition as a permanent collection for Franklin Park Conservatory. It is the largest collection owned by a conservatory or botanical garden.

Five years later, in July 2009, the full collection was once again placed on view along with three new installations by this world-renowned artist in an exhibition titled Chihuly Reimagined. New locations and configurations for the artwork allowed the collection to be viewed in new, reimagined ways. 

When Chihuly Reimagined closed in late March, 2010, loaned pieces from Chihuly Studio were returned, however, a significant portion of the Conservatory’s collection remains on view. Visitors can expect to find Chandeliers over the main entrance, in the John F. Wolfe Palm House, the Himalayan Mountain Biome, and Grand Atrium. Neodymium Reeds and the Sunset Tower in the Pacific Island Water Garden along with Persian Ceiling,  Persian Wall, and more throughout the Conservatory.

To enhance the glass experience, the Conservatory Hot Shop has reopened, providing visitors with the opportunity to watch professional gaffers create small vessels from hot, molten glass. The public is invited to participate in three-hour evening workshops to create their own piece of glass, or in a ten-week Introduction to Glassblowing class. Click here for Hot Shop hours, classes, and more information.

STUDIO EDITIONS FOR PURCHASE
Chihuly Studio Editions, select glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly,  are available for purchase at Botanica, the Conservatory’s gift shop and greenhouse. Prints, DVDs, notecards, and books are also in stock. Link to Studio Editions.

CHIHULY RESOURCE CENTER
In the fall of 2006, The John F. Wolfe Chihuly Resource Center was established at the Conservatory. Located on the Conservatory’s lower level, the resource center houses books, DVDs about the artist, original glass artworks and drawings by Chihuly, and teach resources. Link to Resource Center.

CHIHULY COLLECTION ON LOAN
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is pleased to announce the availability of several works from the Chihuly Collection for loan to other cultural institutions in the region. This opportunity is appropriate for art museums, botanical gardens, historic houses, and science museums.*Link to LOAN INFORMATION.