Washington state is home to Dale Chihuly, a world-renowned glass sculptor, best known for creating large-scale sculpture with blown glass. Born in Tacoma, Chihuly discovered his love of glass as art while studying at the University of Washington. Now, Seattle and Tacoma and the surrounding area are home to some of his most beautiful works.
A visit to the Chihuly Garden and Glass is a must when visiting Seattle. Set below the iconic Space Needle in at the Seattle Center, the Garden showcases Chihuly’s work over the decades. The museum houses a variety of works including pieces from his Basket series, a walk among beautiful Chandeliers and the Glass Float exhibit. You can also get a small glimpse of the beautiful Ceiling of Glass. The outside installations change with the light and the seasons, so visit during the day then return after dark for a different experience. This museum deserves a visit every time you come to Seattle.
To view a broader picture of glass as art, visit the Museum of Glass in downtown Tacoma. It houses a collection of glass works by artists from across the world including Steuben, Lalique and Schneider. Visit The Hot Shop and view local artists creating glassblown pieces.
After visiting the museum, cross the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. This bridge features three installations by Dale Chihuly, the Seaform Pavilion, The Crystal Towers and the Venetian Wall. Although it was originally designed to connect the Museum of Glass with the other downtown Tacoma sites, the Bridge has become a destination of it’s own!
If you want to experience glass at a slower pace, head to Langley on Whidbey island and visit Callahan’s Fire House and Gallery. Here you can try your hand at glassblowing with the help of a professional. Reservations are suggested. It only takes about 30 minutes to create your own work of art! If participation isn’t your thing, just stop by and watch the team create all forms of glass art. The shop has a number of beautiful pieces for sale including paperweights, nested bowl sets and ornaments for the garden.
