If you missed the most recent run of Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2016, the chance to see them again is just a day trip away.
Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville will host its first art exhibition in the historic gardens. Chihuly at Biltmore opens May 17. The large-scale glass art sculptures will be on display through Oct. 7.
Chihuly is known around the world as a leader in developing glass as fine art. In 2004, the first time a Chihuly exhibition came to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the artist was still fairly new to creating garden installations.
More than a decade later, the productions have become a boon to both the artist and the gardens. It gave the Seattle-based glass artist new avenues to show his work and his exhibits often bring dramatic increases in attendance to the gardens.
The Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition will feature artworks both inside Biltmore House and in the gardens. The price of the exhibition is included in Biltmore admission for daytime visitors. It marks the artist’s first major garden exhibition in North Carolina.
From spring through fall, guests will have the chance to see Chihuly’s Reeds, Towers and organic forms in glass against the backdrop of gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, known as the father of American landscape architecture.
> Related: At Biltmore, the genius of Frederick Law Olmsted hides in plain sight
Chihuly and Biltmore’s landscape teams collaborated on special garden plantings throughout the Estate. Highlights include a representation of the The Sun on the Front Lawn, a Venice-inspired installation in the Winter Garden, three installations in the Italian Garden inspired by Japanese fishing floats and the Chandeliers from Chihuly’s iconic series in the glass Conservatory.
Some works, such as a Tower in the Walled Garden and a new installation in the Antler Hill Village & Winery, were created specifically for Biltmore.
The Estate will also host special reservation-only, ticketed Chihuly Nights at Biltmore when the artworks will be illuminated and guests can enjoy live music and a selection of wines while in the gardens.
Guests who wish to stay overnight can take advantage of special Chihuly-inspired stay packages at The Inn on Biltmore Estate or Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate.
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