Chihuly Garden and Glass Announces $10,000 Scholarship Award to Commemorate Fifth Anniversary

SEATTLE, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Chihuly Garden and Glass has partnered with Chihuly Studio to award a $10,000 scholarship to an emerging artist interested in the medium of glass. The scholarship is part of Chihuly Garden and Glass' long-held commitment to celebrate the vibrancy of arts in its local community. Since opening day, on May 21, 2012, the exhibition has donated more than a half a million dollars to community organizations to further arts engagement in the Pacific Northwest.

"With our region being recognized as a center for glass art, Chihuly Garden and Glass is proud to support local artists who are interested in furthering their education," said Michelle Bufano, executive director, Chihuly Garden and Glass. "Reaching our fifth year of operation is a significant milestone for us. We are excited to continue our tradition of making impactful investments in our community, and igniting inspiration within our guests who visit from around the world."

The scholarship awardee will have the opportunity to attend Pilchuck Glass School and or Pratt Fine Arts Center—two leading glass art organizations who will provide the awardee with valuable educational resources and training.  

Dale and Leslie Chihuly joined Bufano to announce the new scholarship program and reflect on the first five years of operation.

"It's an honor to support the next generation of emerging artists," said Dale Chihuly. "When this exhibition was built, I hoped to bring joy, inspiration and new experiences to all who visited."

On Saturday, May 20, guests are welcome to join in on the festivities, and share what inspires them at the exhibition's anniversary celebration. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the exhibition will welcome a wide-range of visual arts organizations to host visual arts demonstrations in the Glasshouse, including screen printing with The Vera Project and flameworking with Pratt Fine Arts Center.

To further include and provide benefit for artists, as well as engagement for youth and adults within the Pacific Northwest, Chihuly Garden and Glass has partnered with local nonprofits organizations. Through the reach of these groups, the exhibition has supported hundreds of local artists. Additionally, Chihuly Garden and Glass has welcomed nearly 10,000 Seattle Public School sixth grade students to participate in educational programing to date. The exhibition also continues to donate funds to Pilchuck's Emerging-Artist-In-Residence scholarship fund, which supports the residency of artists seeking formal training.

In addition to its community partnerships, Chihuly Garden and Glass' donation program provides tickets, books, gift cards, tours, sponsorships and in-kind support to hundreds of local non-profits who support furthering education and arts to youth, seniors and adults in need. To date, Chihuly Garden and Glass has distribute more than 50,000 complimentary admission tickets to those who may not otherwise have access to the exhibition.

To learn more about the anniversary scholarship award, visit: www.chihulygardenandglass.com/events/anniversary

All applications must be submitted by Friday, June 9.

Chihuly Garden and Glass
Located at Seattle Center, Chihuly Garden and Glass brings together all the elements of Dale Chihuly's work, including drawings, signature glass series, large architectural installations and personal collections in a long-term exhibition.

Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly is an artist whose vision is centered around color, shape, light and transparency.  Over his 50-year career, he has become known for his iconic glass sculptures but glass is just one of the media he employs to realize his vision—he also draws, paints and sculpts using other materials. He is globally renowned for his ambitious site-specific architectural installations in public spaces, and in exhibitions presented in museums and gardens worldwide.

SOURCE Chihuly Garden and Glass