Chihuly at Cheekwood (and ...)

If you wonder how "a glass artist" can take over two different art venues and a performing arts center, then you are just not familiar with Dale Chihuly's work.

I sure wasn't.

But I was curious. I mean, it was apparently such a big deal. News about it was everywhere -- in the paper, on billboards around town. How could this be? Why?

Then two dear friends of ours decided to go to see the Chihuly at Cheekwood exhibit this past weekend and called us to join them. We just never seem to find the time to see eachother, so this was a prime opportunity to see them, chat and catch up, see the INCREDIBLE glasswork and also have a fabulous meal together at the Loveless Cafe.

So off we went to Cheekwood.

We parked the car, got our tickets and started walking. Since Cheekwood is an Art Gallery housed inside the former Cheek family mansion, and also an amazing botanical garden, Chihuly's glass sculpture work is installed all over 20 of the 55 acres. We stepped into the first garden with the first few pieces.

OH. MY. GOLLY.

And it only got better.

The glass sculpture is placed among grasses, among plants, among the bamboo, on rocks, in the water, on the water, hanging as chandeliers inside the house! Wow. You will need a good 3 to 4 hours to get around to just see everything. (Be sure to take sitting breaks because of this crazy heat, too.)

Seeing the sunlight gleam, shine, glint, fill up these lovely glass sculptures is so ... how do i say this? ... just SO worth seeing!

These are the moments when you look at something beautiful and it makes you feel like you are 5 years old and the world is just gorgeous and amazing.

If the daytime heat is too much, Cheekwood is staying open late on some weeknights so you can enjoy it then.