Chihuly Glass Marks Anniversary Today

ST. PETERSBURG – The Chihuly Collection celebrates its first anniversary Saturday in St. Petersburg with a beachball display in North Straub Park, a brief ballet outdoors, fire dancing and an after-party at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House.

The collection of sculptor Dale Chihuly's works, at 400 Beach Drive, will be open for extended hours on July 16, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. From 6-8 p.m., admission will be reduced to $5.

Plan are to display "love notes" in North Straub Park, thanking St. Petersburg officials for nurturing the city as a major arts destination. The notes are penned on beach balls strewn from trees in the park.

At 8 p.m., right after the gallery closes, guests are invited to gather outside to enjoy live entertainment.

First up, the Academy of Ballet Arts will perform a choreographed street dance. The brief performance will be followed by music from the 27-member ensemble, Dundu Dole, which will drum and march on the sidewalk, walking from Beach Drive to the park at Fourth Avenue NE.

At 8:30p.m., Fire Dancers from Hip Expressions join Dundu Dole for a spectacular piece that symbolizes the use of fire in the creation of glass.

After the performances, the public is invited to an after-party at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House.

The Morean Arts Center, with roots dating back to 1917 as the Art Club of St. Petersburg, focuses on a community-oriented approach to art and art education. The Chihuly Collection, Glass Studio & Hot Shop operates under the Morean Arts Center.

For more information on The Chihuly Collection please visit: www.MoreanArtsCenter.org