JERSEY GLASS ART

It’s a colorful explosion of glass art

* By: Marvin Tarver

St. Petersburg – Fans of glass art will find nirvana in downtown St. Petersburg.. The Chihuly Collection presented by the Morean Arts Center opened this weekend on Beach Drive in the heart of the city’s revitalized downtown district.

This is the first time that artist Dale Chihuly’s work will be showcased in a building specifically designed for the artwork.

The permanent, museum-quality exhibition features some of the artist’s spectacularly large pieces like his Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, created especially for the St. Petersburg collection. Other popular works include Macchia, Nijima Floats, Tumbleweeds, Persians and Ikebana which have been displayed at museums around the world.

On Saturday, artist Dale Chihuly, held a lecture and book signing from 2 to 4p.m. at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg.

On Monday the collection opens to the general public. On Monday through Wednesday the collection is open from 10a.m. to 6p.m. Thursdays the collection stays open until 8p.m. You can also see the exhibit from from noon to 6p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children.

The Chihuly Collection is located at 400 Beach Drive NE in St. Petersburg. Their website is chihulycollectionstpete.com .

The famous collection is being presented by the Morean Arts Center which has also opened a significant glass art exhibit. The center, at 719 Central Avenue, has a glass hot shop where artisans are creating works of art. The demonstrations run throughout the day. There’s also a gift shop that sells the glass objects created in the hot shop.

Tickets to the hot shop are $8 for adults and $5 for children and includes the Morean Arts Center exhibitions. Combination tickets to both venues are available. For more information call 727-896-4527.

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