A month ago, we had the gorgeous pleasure of touring the Biltmore Estate with family and seeing the amazing creations by the renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly.
Supposedly, I had seen his work before…almost 25 years ago, but I don’t remember.
George and I moved to Seattle right after we married for him to pursue a masters degree at the University of WA in Seattle. Chihuly is from Tacoma, WA and has a gallery in Seattle. For George to remember seeing his work and I completely forgetting it (because I LOVE art) is a mystery to me.
Anyhow, our family came into town to celebrate Shanna achieving the 5.0 club (woot woot), being together and Chihuly at the Biltmore.
On a damp and dreary Sunday, we ventured out to the estate to see his unique creations.
Prior to our visit, I spoke to a gentleman who led an installation of Chihuly’s work at the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta. He told me that if a piece breaks during the installation, they are required to pulverize it to dust using a special machine so that no one can take a piece as their own.
I mentioned this conversation to a woman working at the Biltmore and she confirmed it. She shared that the machine had been there and it was used, although she never witnessed the pulverized art herself.
About the Exhibition
It took two years of planning to pull this off. It is the first art exhibition at the Biltmore Estate, as well as the first time Chihuly has shown his work in a North Carolina garden.
If you haven’t yet been to the Biltmore you should truly put it on your bucket list and come during this special time.
From the estate entrance to the gardens to the home, no detail was left untouched.
Frederick Law Olmsted is the revered American Biltmore landscape architect whose genius is seen throughout the landscape. His original vision encompassed classical design along with environmental protection, and it’s still maintained to this day. When you walk along the paths, you’ll see his Italian Garden, the Rose Garden that features more than 250 varieties, along with the breathtaking trees in America’s first managed forest.
Every time I go, I pretend what it would be like to stroll along these paths as if they were my own. It’s a beautiful, mental and spiritual escape into a fantasy that was a reality for some.
From May until October, you can now experience a whole new level of art mixed together.
Contemporary, vibrant and organic shapes that tower up into the air are mixed in and among the classical landscape design, hot house and within the Biltmore home itself…in the Winter Garden.
It was stunning!
Our Visit
Winter Garden – inside the home
Nana B with Cedrick & Cornelia Vanderbilt
How sweet is Nana B as she pets Cedric?
Interesting fact…
My oldest daughter, Sydney, was friends with the girl who posed for this statue of “Cornelia”.
Chihuly at Night
After Shanna and Nana B left, my crew surprised me with a dinner and concert at the Biltmore for my birthday. We listened to a fun band, had a glass of wine and then ate at a delicious restaurant on the property.
The bonus was seeing a couple of Chihuly’s creations lit up as we were leaving.
Outdoor concert
Me and my amazing man
Samantha and Carson
Chihuly at Night, Antler Village
For summer event and Chihuly nights, check their schedule and come enjoy! They always offer kids for free under the age of 16 during the summer or you can choose to make it a date night for you and yours.
Have you ever seen Chihuly’s art?
Cheers to the summer!
