Museum expansion incorporates celebrated glass artist's works

Art Business News, August, 2005

WILMINGTON, DE -- The newly expanded and renovated Delaware Art Museum has incorporated into its design a colored-glass entrance to the north terrace, created by the internationally celebrated glass artist Dale Chihuly. The artist and his team have added 11 additional Persian glass forms to the museum's redesigned Persian Window.

"Chihuly's Persians were always a community favorite at the Delaware Art Museum" says Melissa Mulrooney, interim executive director. "Now they are better than ever as they highlight and define the north terrace's main entry. This installation will be a real 'signature' for our building as we unveil the new [design]."

Best known for revolutionizing the American studio glass movement to incorporate teams as part of the process, Chihuly and his team have created a number of installations across the globe. Such exhibitions include "Chihuly Over Venice (1995-96)," "Chihuly in the Park: A Garden of Glass at Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory (2001-02)" and "Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma, WA (2002)." He currently is working on "Gardens of Glass at the Royal Botanic Gardens," in the United Kingdom.

The three-year expansion has added more than 40,000 square feet to its existing 60,000 square-foot-space. The grand opening celebration was held on June 26.

For more information, visit www.delart.org; www.chihuly.com.