The first time I saw any of Dale Chihuly’s work in person was on a road trip to St. Louis. The Missouri Botanical Gardens had an exhibition and I roadtripped to stay with a friend for us to go together. Another friend who went along was unimpressed by art in the garden. He felt that putting Human art in the midst of Nature’s art was lily gilding. I told him that gardens are a form of art and not “natural” either. So, 2 forms of art together is more of an embarrassment of riches to me. He shut up about it when he realized I really wasn’t going to agree with him.

Since then, Biltmore House has had 2 Chihuly exhibitions and I have been to both of them. In 2018, I saw Chihuly in the Gardens with my sister and cousin. In 2024, I saw an inside exhibition with a friend. And I went to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art with my husband in 2012 for another one. I took a LOT of pictures every time.

I think I’ll show you some of them.