Washington World of Glass

on location: west ❖

carol smith

Tacoma’s World of Glass A famous artist has put this Washington city on the cultural map ashington State is synonymous with fine wines and unique agricultural products, but its cultural product became world renowned with the internationally acclaimed glass artwork of Dale Chihuly. A number of attractions and activities allow groups to explore this art form: TAComA ArT muSeum The Tacoma Art museum’s permanent collection focuses on the works of Northwest regional artists. Since 1963, the TAm collection has grown to contain more than 3,500 works, including the largest, most comprehensive public collection of glass art by Tacoma native Dale Chihuly.

TAm was the first museum in the region to present a juried exhibition of glass art and has continued to collect and display extraordinary glass works from Northwest artists. In 1990 Chihuly presented the museum with a gift of more than 30 sculptures and drawings in honor of his father and brother, and he continues to donate his art.

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The Seaform Pavilion is part of the 500-foot-long Chihuly Bridge of Glass.

of Chihuly glass is housed in its own gallery. Dating from 1977 to the present, the display is the premier collection of the artist’s work and features an installation of Niijima Floats and Baskets, Sea Forms, Cylinders, macchia, Persians and Venetians from Chihuly’s major series.

In the current exhibit Dale Chihuly’s Northwest (through Sept. 25), group visitors will be able to step into an en-

hanced re-creation of the Northwest room from Chihuly’s Seattle boathouse. The exhibit features his glass artwork alongside selections from his personal collections that include Native American baskets and trade blankets, Willits canoes and edward S. Curtis photogravures. The exhibit celebrates Chihuly’s artwork in honor of his 70th birthday. (253-272-425, tacomaartmuseum.org) LeisureGroupTravel.com

muSeum oF glASS Docents engage groups in an interactive experience to provide a deeper understanding of the artwork. All group tours include: All-day admission to the museum galleries, glass-making demonstrations in the hot Shop, education Studio and theater; a staff member to greet the group and orient them to the museum; a docent-led gallery tour; interactive experiences that identify major themes, explore stylistic and Obtain Washington visitor guides and itineraries – and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info LeisureGroupTravel.com

aesthetic content and help groups relate to the exhibition in a meaningful way; and a docentled plaza tour to learn about the building’s architecture, artwork on the plazas and Chihuly Bridge of glass.

The education Studio features hands-on art projects that relate to the exhibitions in the galleries. A docent or staff member will get you started making your Glassblowers demonstrate their techniques in the own work of art. group Hot Shop at Tacoma’s Museum of Glass. rates are available to partide and weather conditions are right, ties of 10 or more; bus drivers are free. these glass floats wash up on WashingTours booked for 1 p.m. or later on a ton’s beaches, while millions more are weekday come with an additional disstill floating in the ocean. (253-383counted rate. The museum Cafe offers 3499, tacomaglassblowing.com) lgT a bistro-style menu and can arrange box lunches.

The hot Shop is a museum highlight. groups can watch as the hot Shop team or visiting artists demonstrate the process of creating art from molten glass. Artists are always on the floor, and close-ups of their work can be seen on a big video screen. An interpreter explains the process, the art, the science and the history of making glass. guests can ask questions or offer input to help design a piece. There is seating for 200 visitors. (253-284-4713, museumofglass.org) TAComA glASSBloWINg STuDIo opened in 2006, the studio offers a range of classes for beginners. Classes for stuffed floats are available Saturday or Sunday by appointment. A stuffed float is a blown-glass float filled with a small souvenir. In the 1900s Japanese fishermen began using glass floats, which would often escape their nets. When

Ma Chihuly’s Floats at the Tacoma Art Museum honors the artist’s mom.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Read Carol Smith’s article on another group favorite in Washington State, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

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BrIDgINg WITh glASS meanwhile, Tacoma boasts more installations of Chihuly’s artwork than any other city. Through the Tacoma museum of Art, groups can go on a guided Chihuly walking tour in downtown Tacoma, including union Station and the Bridge of glass. A free selfguided cell phone tour is also available.

The Chihuly Bridge of glass spans Interstate 705 with thousands of glass purple sea urchins, red reeds and ruffled clamshells created by the glass artist.

The 500-foot-long bridge links downtown Tacoma with the Thea Foss Waterway and the museum of glass using three distinctive installations. Across the span walkers encounter the glass ceiling of the Seaform Pavilion, two ice blue Crystal Towers and the 80-foot Venetian Wall displaying 109 Chihuly sculptures. Illuminated at night, the Chihuly Bridge of glass is open 24 hours a day.

At historic union Station, about a block from the museum of glass, visitors will find Chihuly’s glass hanging from the ceiling and a wall of the artist’s paintings.