Fans of Dale Chihuly will be pleased to know that plans to bring the permanent collection of Chihuly to St. Petersburg were solidified in February. The Chihuly Collection, presented by the Morean Arts Center, will be housed at 400 Beach Drive and the exhibit will open over the 4th of July weekend.
"We are very excited and proud to bring the art of
Dale Chihuly to the Tampa Bay region," says Katee Tully, executive director of the Morean Arts Center.
It is expected that the Chihuly Collection's presence in St. Petersburg will have a positive impact on our region, from enriching the arts community to promoting economic development. With the Chihuly Collection, art enthusiasts from across the country are likely to visit the gallery the same way people from around the country stop in to see the
Dali Museum.
The Chihuly exhibit will be in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg's tourist area, which includes the
Museum of Fine Arts, the new Dali Museum, several restaurants and the
Renaissance Vinoy.
The building adjacent to the
Morean Arts Center's main facility on Central Avenue will be used for a Glass Studio and Hot Shop that will be established by late spring. The building was formerly used for Morean's clay program, which has since moved to the
Historic Train Station to allow for additional expansion.
Paul Carder, director of marketing/communications and advancement, says that the Glass Studio and Hot Shop will provide hands-on workshops and educational programs.
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