Chihuly Garden and Glass, a stunning exhibition located at Seattle Center, came to life through an invitation from the Wright family to renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Collaborating with Center Art, Chihuly envisioned transforming a 1.5-acre space into an artistic marvel. Prioritizing environmental consciousness, the team ingeniously repurposed an existing structure into the Exhibition Hall and cultivated a vibrant Garden, creating an urban oasis of art and nature.
At the heart of this attraction is the Glasshouse, a LEED Certified Green Building. Its sustainable design incorporates radiant slab flooring, natural ventilation facilitated by sliding doors, double-paned windows, and wall radiator fins. The construction thoughtfully utilized recycled materials, including glass, steel, and gypsum. For the exhibition, Chihuly meticulously curated pieces from his extensive portfolio and conceived new artworks specifically designed to enrich the Galleries, enhance the Garden’s beauty, and serve as captivating focal points within the Glasshouse itself.
With the vision of fostering a community hub, Chihuly Garden and Glass broke ground in August 2011. The installation of artworks commenced in March 2012, culminating in the grand opening on May 21, 2012. The project’s commitment to sustainability was quickly recognized with its first LEED Silver certification in 2012. Driven by the dedicated Chihuly Garden and Glass Team Members, ongoing sustainability initiatives encompass responsible practices in air, water, energy, food management, and overall environmental stewardship. Notably, Chihuly Garden and Glass proudly stands as the only certified Salmon Safe Exhibition in the United States, demonstrating its deep commitment to ecological preservation.
Chihuly Garden and Glass actively pursues its mission by fostering collaborations with and providing support to artists within the community. Dedicated to nurturing a thriving community, it connects individuals with art in meaningful ways. This commitment is realized through financial contributions and in-kind support extended to arts organizations, youth arts programs, arts education in schools, and scholarships for emerging artists, thereby empowering future generations of artistic talent.
