Venture Into Color and Creativity

After being invited by the Wright family to exhibit at Seattle Center, Chihuly began working with Center Art on a plan for the 1.5-acre plot. In consideration of best practices for the environment, the group repurposed the existing building for the Exhibition Hall and transformed the urban space with a lush Garden. 

The centerpiece Glasshouse is a LEED Certified Green Building as it contains radiant slab flooring, natural ventilation with sliding doors to open air, double paned windows, wall radiator fins as well as recycled materials including glass, steel, and gypsum. Chihuly selected from among his body of work and created new work to fill the Galleries, enhance the Garden, and serve as the focus for the Glasshouse.

Intended to function as a community gathering place, Chihuly Garden and Glass broke ground in August 2011. The artwork installation began in March 2012 and the Exhibition opened on May 21, 2012. The project received its first LEED Silver certification in 2012 through a focus on sustainability. Driven by Chihuly Garden and Glass Team Members, sustainability focus areas include care for air, water, energy, food, and overall environment. Chihuly Garden and Glass is the only certified Salmon Safe  Exhibition in the United States.

Chihuly Garden and Glass continuously endeavors to fulfill its mission by collaborating with and supporting artists that are a part of our community. Committed to building a vibrant community by connecting people to art in meaningful ways. Chihuly Garden and Glass fulfills this commitment through financial and in-kind support of arts organizations, youth arts programs, school arts education, and scholarships for individual artists to empower the next generation of artists.