The Children's Museum of Indianapolis Announces Plan to Install Fireworks of Glass, Dale Chihuly's Largest Sculpture of Blown Glass

    INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Dedicated to creating extraordinary
 family learning experiences across the arts, sciences and humanities, The
 Children's Museum of Indianapolis in conjunction with renowned glass artist
 Dale Chihuly, formally announces plans for the installation of Fireworks of
 Glass, the largest permanent sculpture of Chihuly blown glass ever created.
 The 43-foot Tower will rise above what will appear to be a floating glass
 ceiling under which an innovative hands-on glassblowing exhibit for children
 and families will be housed.  Fireworks of Glass will place a permanent world-
 class work of art on display for children and families to explore, learn about
 and create their own works of art.  Construction of Fireworks of Glass which
 began in mid-July of 2005 will be installed in early 2006, followed by the
 grand opening on March 18, 2006.
     The Chihuly installation will be located in the museum's core, a five-
 story central atrium, and will be seen by more visitors than any other exhibit
 in the museum.  "An estimated 60 million children and families and up to 7
 million school children, and their teachers, over the next 50 years will view
 Fireworks of Glass, an extraordinary work of art that would not normally be
 seen in a children's museum," said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO
 of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
     "Glass is the most magical of all materials.  It transmits light in a
 special way ... I'm pleased that my art appeals to so many people of all ages.
 As a parent and an artist, I'm especially looking forward to leaving a legacy
 at The Children's Museum, a place where I hope my work brings joy to children
 who visit from all over the world," said Dale Chihuly.
     "The Children's Museum is known for providing outstanding opportunities
 for the exploration of the sciences, history and humanities.  This one of a
 kind work of art will serve as an icon for cultural tourism for our city,"
 said Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson.
 
     Fireworks of Glass:
     Standing more than 43-feet tall, Fireworks of Glass will be comprised of
 more than 2,500 individually blown, glass pieces.
     During the day, it will be bathed in natural light and spectacularly lit
 at night for evening events.  Children and families will be able to circle the
 tower via the museum's ramps to explore the sculpture from all sides.
 
     The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a non-profit institution
 committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences that have the power
 to transform the lives of children and families.  The 433,000 square-foot
 facility houses 11 major galleries.  Visitors can explore the physical and
 natural sciences, history, world cultures, the arts, and see how dinosaurs
 lived 65 million years ago in Dinosphere: Now You're in Their World.  The
 Children's Museum, situated on 13 acres of land in Indianapolis presents
 thousands of programs and activities each year.  For more information about
 The Children's Museum in English and Spanish, visit
 http://www.ChildrensMuseum.org.
     The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St.  The museum is
 open Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Open Mondays, March - Labor Day
 only.)  Admission prices are as follows: Under 2 free; Youths (2 - 17), $7.00;
 Adults, $12.00; and Seniors (60+), $11.00.
 
 

SOURCE  The Children's Museum of Indianapolis