Glass Art Sculpture – Chihuly Glass

Chihuly Artwork in Oklahoma City Museum or Art

We saw an installation of Chihuly glass art sculpture at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The exhibit is permanent and includes a two story tower of glass just inside the atrium which is nothing short of stunning. I love how the glass captures the light and the shapes of his glass reminds me of Dr. Suess and some of the creations in his work. The pieces are twirly and swirly and whimsical.

The incredible tower glass art sculpture in the atrium of the museum when you walk in is breath taking! The light shines through in such a pretty way. I love this piece!

Dale Chihuly loves working with glass

“Glass is the most magical of all materials. It transmits light in a special way.”

One of the reasons I love talking about art with kids is that there is always so much to talk about. Great conversations begin in an art museum. One reason for the great conversations is the relaxed atmosphere. You aren’t in a hurry. Also, you can’t be ‘wrong’ when you think about art. It is ok to love it – hate it – get it – or think it is the craziest thing you have ever seen. Some of my favorite conversations that have taken place in museums have been around art pieces that no one actually liked!

When you talk about art with the kids be sure to include information about the artist. Artists are usually colorful people so there is a lot to discuss – good, bad, fun, and just plain weird.  Dale Chihuly is no exception to this idea!

Facts about Dale Chihuly, the artist.

Dale Chihuly is a traveler and loves adventure. He has been traveling most of his life and even took a year off during college to travel around Europe. His art has similar flavors as Murano glass and perhaps he was inspired by it during his early travels. After he started his career he studied Murano glass production.

Dale Chihuly is an adventurer for sure. While exploring England he was in a car accident and lost his left eye. Then, while in a bodysurfing accident, he lost the ability to hold a glassblowing pipe. Nothing slows him down! He has also biked 1000 miles through Brittany, France.

After his bodysurfing accident in which he dislocated a shoulder, he has not actually blown or sculpted glass since. Instead, he has artists working for him that create based on his design. He still signs all the pieces and said as long as he can sign his work, the creating will continue.

But his collaborative work didn’t begin at the point he lost the ability to actually blow the glass himself. He said he got his love of working as a team from his father, who was a union organizer. He values team work.

Chihuly says,

“If you’re going to make glass, you really have to be a team person.”

Dale Chihuly loves creating art with glass! While he is well known for his glass art sculpture, glass isn’t the only medium he uses for art. He also creates art using graphite, charcoal, pencil, acrylic and fire. Yes, FIRE.

On the drawings, the poet, Nathan Kernan, says,

“Dale Chihuly’s drawings….constitute a parallel visual world as compelling and original as that of his amazing sculptures in glass.”

Facts about artist Dale Chihuly, the person.

Dale Chihuly is:

a philanthropist – He has donated glass art sculpture worth millions. He founded an international arts organization, Seniors Making Art, which provides free art classes to senior citizens.

a collector – He has collections of carnival masks, antique bathing suits, Navajo blankets, toy airplanes, and accordions.

Facts about artist Dale Chihuly, his inspiration.

Just as you might guess from the two story sculpture in the atrium of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Chihuly loves to create glass art sculpture in a BIG way!

Chihuly says this on his philosophy on the creation of art,

“I tend to do things on a huge scale because it’s exciting. I like to push things in new and different ways. My philosophy is: when one is good, a dozen is better.”

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Location

415 Couch Drive, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Tickets

Members – FREE

Adults – $12

Children (6 -18), College Students, Seniors (62+) – $10

Children (up to age 5), Active Military – FREE

AFTER 5 PM – everyone $5

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Hours

Monday – CLOSED

Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday (LATE HOURS) 10:00 – 9:00

Sunday Noon – 9:00 pm

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Parking

Parking choices:

There are few parking spots right outside the front door.

Just north of the museum is the Progressive Parking Lot at Hudson and Kerr.

The Arts District parking garage is on the corner of Walker and Main – one block south of the museum.

Seeing glass art sculpture by Chihuly isn’t the only fun thing you can do at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The cafe there is an experience of its own!

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Cafe

You don’t have to buy a ticket to the museum to visit the award winning cafe. Nice spot to stop for a drink and snack after seeing the cool art and they have other types of events here like brunch, high tea and during the times of the year with nice weather you can have drinks and nibbles on the roof.

OKCMOA Hours:

Monday 11:00 – 3:00

Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 – 10:00

Sunday 10:30 – 3:00

Enjoy High Tea at the OKCMOA Museum Cafe

The cafe has a tea time! Yes, tea with beautiful little cups and sandwiches that don’t have crusts – just like the Queen of England would eat. You don’t have to stick out your little pinky or talk with a British accent, but if you are with the kids you might want to just for fun. I love a high tea service = SOO much fun!

You NEED reservations made at least 24 hours ahead of time. Call (405) 235-6262 to reserve your time AND the type of tea you want.

So, what is “High Tea”? The English tea ceremony was invented by the Duchess of Bedford back in the mid 1880s. She was hungry in late afternoon during the long stretch between lunch at noon and dinner at 9 in the evening. She started having a snack in the late afternoons and then started inviting her friends.

Now, this same High Tea ceremony is a fun afternoon snack or light meal. The cups and tea pots are always so pretty. (I’m biased though because I LOVE tea pots and collect them.)

There are several types of High Tea to choose from. Take a look here and then let them know which one you want when you make your reservation:

Champagne Tea $26.00 PER person.

• choice of tea
• tea sandwiches
• scones
• sweet cream and preserves
• tartlets
• truffles
• 1 glass of Domaine St. Michelle Champagne

Full Tea $20.00 PER person

• Choice of tea
• tea sandwiches
• sweet cream and preserves
• tartlets
• truffles

Light Tea $12.00 PER person

• Choice of tea
• scones
• sweet cream and preserves
• tartlets
• truffles

Cream Tea $7.00 PER person

• Choice of tea
• scones
• sweet cream and preserves

Children’s Tea $15.00 PER person

• Tea or Hot Chocolate
• mini cupcakes
• Child Inspired sandwiches
• Fresh Fruit and Yogurt Dip
• Chocolate Chip cookie

ADDITION:

If you choose a flowering tea, which is really cool, the tea will cost extra $2.00 per person.

The difference between tea and flowering tea is the type and presentation of the tea leaves for brewing. During regular tea you can choose one of these tea types: white, green, black, oolong. For a flowering tea, leaves from green and black tea are sewn around white tea buds. When the tea bundle is brewed the leaves unfurl. It is very pretty to watch.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Roof Terrace Hours

Thursday evenings from late spring until early October head to the roof for some live music! Enjoy a light menu and drinks in the spring air.

Beware the weather. If the weather is scorching hot or rainy they might change the times or cancel. Get on the email list for ‘rooftop alerts‘ to get the word on changes in hours due to weather.

Once you have seen glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly you’ll recognize it instantly anywhere else. After visiting this museum exhibit of Chihuly’s glass art sculpture I realized I have seen in a hotel in Houston, too!

Are you taking the kids to see art at a museum? You’ll enjoy these tips on how to take kids with you!

CLICK HERE – How to Take Kids to an Art Museum

CLICK HERE – How to Enjoy Modern Art with Kids