Photo Diary: Chihuly Collection, St Pete FL

Artist Dale Chihuly is best-known for his large-scale works made from hand-blown glass, which most often have a free-form fluid and organic look. Many of his works have been inspired by sea life or plants, and they have been exhibited in botanical gardens and museums across the US.

In 2010, the Morean Arts Center in St Petersburg FL partnered with Chihuly to establish a permanent exhibit of his major works, as part of the city’s effort to establish itself as a center for the arts. The Morean quickly became a popular tourist attraction, and in 2016 a larger museum building was constructed in the middle of downtown St Pete. Today the Chihuly Collection holds many of his best-known works, including the Seaforms, the Float Boat, the Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, the Mille Fiori, and the Persian Ceiling.

Some photos from a visit to the museum.

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The museum

Inside the museum

White Seaform Set, made in 2010

Carob Brown Basket, made in 1981

Azul de Medianoche Chandelier, made in 2004

Carnival Chandelier, made in 2008

Float Boat, made in 2007. The photo does not show the scale—each sphere is the size of a beachball.

Silvered White Spotted Ikebana With Gilded Purple Stems, made in 2006

Detail

Venetians

Cobalt Lavender Piccolo Venetian With Gilded Handles, made in 1993

Mille Fiori, made in 2010

Macchia Forest, made in 2010

Detail

Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, made in 2010

Sunset Persian Wall, made in 2010

Persian Ceiling, made in 2008

Detail

Blue Neon Tumbleweed, made in 2009

In addition to his glass works, Chihuly has also done a number of drawings and paintings, and the Collection has some of these on display