Shown is a glass installation by Dale Chihuly. Photos provided.

By Darla McCammon
and DeeAnna Muraski
Guest Columnists

WARSAW — We are back this week with our American Art series looking at the artists who helped shape our culture from the 1900s to current day. Our last artist, Bob Ross, was in the 1960s and ’70s era and born in the 1940s. The artist for this week was born one year before Ross, and he is still alive today. We are staying in this era due to the enormous popularity and enriching impact of this week’s artist.

At the end of the 1960s and start of the 1970s there were two pivotal events only a few years apart. The first, in 1968, was the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. While the country was still reeling from that, the second happened in 1972 with the Watergate scandal. These were times when our nation felt at odds, fearful and naturally untrusting.

At the crux of this time period, our artist for this week was also struggling with difficult personal issues that have remained with him to current day. In 1958, Dale Chihuly’s only sibling, his brother, George, was killed during a naval training exercise. Shortly afterward, in 1959n Chihuly’s father, a meat-cutting unionizer, passed away of a heart attack. The acute loss left the youngest and remaining child, Chihuly, very alone in the world. His mother immediately went to work providing for their now small family.

Thankfully, through Chihuly’s mother’s prodding (yay moms!), he continued studies, eventually receiving his bachelor’s in interior design from the University of Washington. He was the first American to be accepted into the coveted apprenticeship at Italy’s famed Venini Factory. From there, he wound up at Rhode Island School of Design and established its glass-making department.

Chihuly created the American Studio Glass movement. His undulating, pulsating, colorful, breathtaking glass displays are dazzling. When I was a young girl, I remember being mesmerized by small glass paperweights my grandmother had in her front window. The way the light would catch the colors and how the glass was captured in a freeze frame kept me entertained for hours. The first time I experienced seeing Chihuly I felt exactly the same except magnified and spellbound. I literally stopped in place in awe at the scale of this huge glass so artfully hung and spinning over my head.

The technique Chihuly uses to create his blow glass masterpieces he has shared with his talented team. Since a car accident left him with one eye and a body surfing accident ripped up his shoulder, he leaves the heavy lifting of the glass to his extensive workforce. Chihuly orchestrates his massive scale installations with the precision of a maestro. His most unique and internationally famous installation, in 1995, was called called “Chihuly Over Venice.” His brightly colored glass immersed the viewer as they sliced through the water on their gondola. Imagine seeing the Winona Lake canal cleared out and large colorful glass balls, cones, curls and spheres rising out of the water sparkling with the sun. Actually, someone should do that.
Chihuly is still alive, helping design, inspire and install his work. He has stuggled with bipolar disorder for most of his life. However, a close-knit team and family help the impresario who brings so much light into the world through his beautiful vibrating, colorful works.

Places To Go

Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum: Eight galleries and more than 12 million visitors yearly. Located next to the space needle at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. They have discount combo passes for the space needle and glass museum. Visit chihulygardenandglass.com.

Wabash Senior Center: Honeywell Foundation recently received a $20,000 grant to offer “Senior Perspectives: Observational Art” classes. Older adults will be able to engage in two series of eight weekly art classes led by professional artist and teacher Danielle Winger. Hosted at the local Senior Center. Check Honeywell for the upcoming dates and times.

Grace College Visual Arts Camp: Grace College is offering a Visual Arts camp for children ages 11-14. According to the brochure, children will “gather inspiration from professional artists and nature, both on-campus and on a field trip to the zoo and art museum.” Students will also “develop creative skills in drawing, painting, sculpting, and visual design.” The course includes a take-home art kit. Cost is $300. Dates are June 10-14 or July 15-19, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at grace.edu/camps.

Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery: Artist Brenda Ramseier has been showcasing her years of experience as an art teacher, but the exhibit is remaining only until June 15. You can view her artwork at the City Hall, 102 S. Buffalo St., downtown Warsaw, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also can learn more by visiting theartgiraffe.com.

Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author. DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. Send an email to the mother/daughter team at either [email protected] or [email protected].

Another glass piece by Chihuly. How do they dust these chandeliers?