Chihuly’s inspired new Fiori series continues his move in the direction of organic, free flowing forms. Although the series evolved from his recent 2002 exhibition at Chicago’s Garfield Conservatory, Fiori, with its plantlike forms, further extends his career-long proclivity for placing forms in natural and unique environments. In this new series, which first appeared as Mille Fiori (Italian for a thousand flowers) in an installation at the Tacoma Art Museum in 2003, Chihuly revisits and refines many of the forms and techniques that have appeared throughout his career. Combined with exciting new elements, he creates spectacular installations that are true gardens of glass rather than glass forms within gardens. The artist’s fascination with gardens is strongly autobiographical. He has noted that due to his mother’s passion for gardening, he grew up surrounded by flowers, and that some of his early influences could have been the garden. The exhibition at the Arthur Roger Gallery Project will present 11 theatrical displays created by Chihuly and his team specifically for this installation from hundreds of hand blown glass elements that range in size from six inches to more than seven feet in height.

The series of installations together create a dazzling display evocative of a luscious tropical garden landscape of flowers, gourds, reeds and fantastical foliage in a stunning range of colors. chandeliers inside the pyramid tremble from the forceFlamboyant fantasy flora will be animated by natural light during the day and dramatized brilliantly in the evening as myriad organic shapes are spot-lit to dazzling effect and are mirrored in reflective platforms and in shadows behind. chandelier ottawa kijijiChihuly’s magical River Blue Chandelier, 2004, will be suspended above the field of botanical forms. chandelier boutique baytown txAdditionally, a wall installation of works on paper will reveal a different facet of the artist’s creative process.

A video display will show Chihuly and his team at work, creating glass and installing his artwork around the world. Concurrent with the exhibition at the Arthur Roger Gallery Project, an additional platform installation by Chihuly titled Mille Fiori II, 2004, will fill the rear gallery of the Arthur Roger Gallery on Julia Street. Books and related material on Chihuly will be available in both galleries. 59 x 48 x 48 inches 78 x 42 inches 52 x 45 x 16 inches 64 x 96 x 96 inches 72 x 144 x 144 inches 72 x 24 x 24 inches 76 x 52 x 32 inches 81 x 22 x 22 inches 78 x 22 x 22 inches 91 x 22 x 22 inches Octopus Entwined Putto on Gilded Blue Vessel1999 25 x 15 x 15 inches Putto Dancing with Starfish on Sea Blue Vase1999 23 x 14 x 14 inches 27 x 7 x 7 inches English Oak and Tabac Persian Set w/ Dark Wine Lip Wrap2000 8.5 x 13 x 9 inches 12 x 12 inches 10 x 10 inches Dahlia Yellow Basket Set with Black Lip Wraps1997

7 x 14 x 15 inches 11.75 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches 13.75 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches Blue Sky Basket Set Edition2004 mixed media on paper 42 x 30 inches 41 x 29 inches 4 color intaglio/lithograph with handwork 34.5 x 23 inches 5 color lithograph with handwork 4 color lithograph with handwork 34.5 x 23 inchesArtists, please click HERE to apply to the 2017 Smithsonian Craft Show EXTENSION: Applications are due by September 29, 2016. Thank you all for attending the 2016 Smithsonian Craft Show! It was another great year full of fine craft. We can’t wait to see the beautiful photos you’ve taken! Tag us on social media and we will share them. Explore the Dale Chihuly Macchia installation in 360° below. Macchia works by Dale Chihuly, lower view. #SmithsonianCraftShow #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA More interviews with craft show artists can be viewed by going to the “Craft Show Videos” drop down menu.

“Conversations with Smithsonian Craft Show Artists,” is a special series of eight video shorts highlighting American craft artists who have participated in Smithsonian Craft Shows, past and present. The 2-minute videos which showcase the highest standard of craft artists in America, reveal to the public the artists’ philosophy, their relationship to their work, and the importance of the Smithsonian Craft Show.  over the next 3 months.  The artists are:  Michael Puryear, furniture maker; Clifford Lee, ceramicist, Lisa Zerkowitz, glass artist; Randall Darwall, wearable art. All eight of these artists have been juried into multiple Smithsonian Craft Shows over the past 34 years.By Gina BirchFort Myers Local Expert March 11, 2014 Sanibel Island is known for having many good dining establishments, but with the addition of Blue Coyote Supper Club in November 2013, the short list of great ones got an addition. While the restaurant may be new to the island, it’s not altogether new.

The original Blue Coyote is a well-known supper club in Fort Myers, open to members only. While the Fort Myers location is on the water, the Sanibel spot overlooks the green at Sanibel Island Golf Club. When new owners took over the club, Blue Coyote owner Mitch Schwenke was asked to consult the remodel of the existing restaurant; then he got island fever. The idea of operating on Sanibel grew on him, and, as he puts it, “It became a great marriage.” Decorative lighting in the famous Chihuly style — Photo courtesy of Gina Birch Now the Fort Myers crowd, who could only dine at the super club by pulling strings, has unlimited access to the same fabulous food and equally grand ambiance. Schwenke did most of the Sanibel renovations himself, adding woodwork and columns. He also built a stone arch now nicknamed St Andrews Arch, after the bridge at the famous St Andrews Golf Course in Ireland. The creative lighting and blue hues behind the bar envelopes you in a feeling of cool comfort.

Other lighting includes chandeliers that you would swear were designed by famous sculpture artist Dale Chihuly. But some of the most intriguing décor is found hanging on the walls. The restaurant is home to a large collection of original artwork by Markus Pierson. Pierson started his cool Coyote Series nearly three decades ago. Soothing blue tones add a comfortable vibe to the Coyote bar. — Photo courtesy of Cindie Barker / Blue Coyote Supper Club The coyote is an expressive character, inspired by a Joni Mitchell song of the same name. Many of the pieces displayed are originals. Some are reprints, but all are for sale. Besides the striking décor, the Coyote offers a superb menu that is small in comparison to most restaurants. This allows the chefs to concentrate on quality and presentation, rather than quantity and speed. It features a lot of meat as well as local seafood, local produce and lots of daily specials from items fresh off the boats. Popular items include the pork chop made with Kurobuta pork, encrusted in panko and rosemary and atop potatoes and a sweet blackberry gastrique.

For an appetizer, the  tomato basil escargot on truffled crostini is a must-have. While bartenders have been perfecting their creative cocktail list, the biggest niche for the Coyote is small, California boutique wines. You will find a nice, worldly selection here, too. But the managers work hard on locating value-oriented bottles that you will likely not find in other restaurants on the island. And they always seem to have something special in the back, not on the list. Sunday Brunch is quite popular with dishes like PB&J French toast and Coyote Eggs. And don’t forget about the Bloody Mary, garnished with two strips of bacon and a skewer of deviled eggs, finished off with a splash of bacon-infused vodka. It's a meal in itself. One thing that is different than the original Coyote, the Sanibel location offers lunch that seems to last forever, thanks to the golfers. This restaurant is off the beaten path of the well-traveled Periwinkle but worth the effort to find. HeadPinz Entertainment Center Hits the Mark with Interactive, Nighttime Fun