Chihuly's back, and Fairchild's got him. . .

Hard to believe, but it was 2005 when Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden introduced "Art In The Garden" with an exhibition of glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly.  It was Chihuly's first botanical garden installation and Fairchild quadrupled it's membership from that groundbreaking exhibition .

I was still working pretty much full time in those days, but I did find time to volunteer at Fairchild for the very first time as a once-a-week guide in the Garden's Conservatory, telling visitors about the Chihuly glass exhibited in that building. These days I'm a tram guide on Friday mornings, doing tours at 10, 11 and 12 noon, and once again I am telling guests from all over the world about these unbelievably beautiful sculptures that are all over our 83 acre Garden.

I have two favorite stories about Chihuly.  The first took place about 35 years ago in Aspen, Colorado, during a Miami Ski Club trip.  The ex and I visited one of our favorite art galleries there and saw this large, elegant glass sculpture with a price tag of $1,000 by someone we had never heard of named Dale Chihuly.  I remember laughing and wondering who would spend that much on a piece of glass that wasn't even Tiffany or Steuben.  How wrong we were!  Today a similar piece sells for $30,000 and up.  So much for our artistic eye.

My second favorite story is much more recent, and happened this past November during the installation of the current exhibition at Fairchild.  For the first time the installation has extended into the Garden's Lowlands, an exciting addition for those of us doing tram tours.  The Lowlands consists of 11 man-made lakes dug in the early 1930's and some of them are currently home to 6 alligators and two salt water crocodiles.  (I like to tell people on my tram tours that this is not Disneyland, these are real live animals, and for heaven's sake, don't try to pet them, kiss them, or take your picture with them! You'd be surprised what some people will do.)

As Chihuly's team attempted to install some of his giant bright red and orange glass "Reeds" on the banks of one of the lakes that is very viewable from the tram, the resident gator, obviously not an art lover, took offense at the intrusion.  As fast as the workers installed them and left, the gator was seen climbing up on the bank and use his tail to swat them down! Talk about your art critics.

The exhibition runs through May and it is well worth visiting.  I took a few photos just for fun. The Garden is open on Thursday and Sunday nights for an opportunity to see the sculptures lit, a spectacular sight. If you plan to come on a Friday, let me know ahead of time.  I promise you, I give a helluva good tour!

Happy Channukah. . . Merry Christmas. . .Happy New Year. . .Make it a healthy one!!!!