Dale Chihuly, whose amazing fine art glass creations are known the world over, has chosen St. Petersburg for his first ever permanent collection/gallery. Although the initial plans were made in 2005, the economic downturn wreaked havoc on the early plans, which involved combining a Chihuly gallery and studio with a new arts condo in downtown St. Petersburg.
But, after years of delays and evolution, the Chihuly gallery is being built even as I type! The new gallery will be located downtown, at 400 Beach Drive, easily accessed by visitors and residents alike. The gallery is the creation of the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, and it is scheduled to open on July 4th. With the opening of the Chihuly gallery, downtown will have, within a few blocks, the Museum of Fine Arts, the new Dali Museum, and the Chihuly Collection.
For anyone who is not familiary with Dale Chihuly’s work, there are dozens of sites where you can peruse his creations. One of my favorite venues for his work is the lobby of the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas…
CRYSTAL MIRAGE GALLERY is the original Art Glass Gallery on the St. Pete Pier. We have been in business for over 20 years. We are thrilled to have Dale Chihuly opening right down the street here in St. Petersburg. He has done so much for the “Art Glass Movement” with his great PR and TV shows and beautiful art glass instillations. He has educated our potential buyers. Isn’t St. Pete Great!