CONTACT: Beth Herendeen, (727) 893-7465

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

See photos from the signing ceremony

MAYOR, ARTS CENTER, CHIHULY SIGN RECOMMITMENT
FOR NEW CHIHULY COLLECTION
Also Show Building Renderings and Announce Timetable for Construction

St. Petersburg, Fla. (March 25, 2008) – Today at the Chihuly Studio in Seattle, Wa., St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Dale Chihuly and The Arts Center of St. Petersburg officials signed a recommitment to bring a world-class permanent collection of Dale Chihuly’s Artwork to The Arts Center of St. Petersburg.

The purpose of the visit is to confirm the parties’ desire to establish the Chihuly Collection of exceptional artworks at the Arts Center of St. Petersburg; to obtain Dale Chihuly’s agreement to establish the collection in a new building to be constructed on the present site of the Arts Center; to view Artworks that are representative of those to be housed in the new collection; to display architectural renderings of the new Arts Center; and to announce the anticipated construction for the new Center.

The Chihuly Collection will be housed in a new 32,000 square foot new wing at The Arts Center, Central Avenue, 719 Central Ave. Construction is scheduled to begin in September, 2008 and be completed by spring, 2010.

The Collection will include –site-specific installations, such as chandeliers and garden installations as well a setworks and drawings . Visitors will enter the Chihuly Collection under a multi-colored Persian glass ceiling. A beautiful reflecting pool with Niijima Floats will be seen from the second floor walkway en route to an observation deck overlooking the glassblowing hotshop floor, where master glass artists will demonstrate the art of blowing glass for viewers. There will also be a café and a retail store featuring Chihuly Edition glass, publications, and related items.

“St. Petersburg continues to build on a growing worldwide reputation as Florida’s center of the arts,” said Mayor Rick Baker. He referred to other recent arts expansions, such as the announcement of a new Dali Museum at a growing Progress Energy Center for the Arts, the newly completed expansion of the Museum of Fine Arts, completion of the new Florida Orchestra headquarters, renovation of the Mahaffey Theater, a new theater under construction for the American Stage, a concentration of six downtown museums, and a thriving collection of art galleries. “We welcome Dale Chihuly back to St. Petersburg to establish a permanent home for some of the most dynamic artwork in the world.”

During today’s visit, Mayor Baker presented Dale Chihuly with two gifts from the children of St. Petersburg. Students from the Arts Center created a book of letters and drawings, and also created a sculptural piece incorporating glass created by children from five different geographical regions of St. Petersburg.

"What has brought us to this point today is the continued, enthusiastic support of Mayor Rick Baker," says Terry Brett, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arts Center of St. Petersburg. "In his years as Mayor and as a longtime resident," Brett continues, "Mayor Baker has displayed genuine and consistent interest in nurturing the arts as an integral part of what makes the City of St. Petersburg special to all of us."

Evelyn Craft, executive director of the Arts Center, thanked Mayor Baker for accepting the group’s invitation to attend the signing, saying “We are fortunate that our city continues to support the Arts Center and our fellow cultural organizations that together make St. Petersburg such a dynamic city of the arts.”

 

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