Herman wants to go at night but not sure about time...busy lately.
Chihuly comes to Dallas Arboretum now until November!
Oh! Sheila! That boat! From the wheelchair, I didn't get that view, and from your other pic I didn't either (or maybe I didn't notice) but oh my goodness! How great!
I took several pictures of the boats. This one is the Carnival Boat, the other is the Float Boat. I can see where you would not have access, this is an old part of the garden and paths were narrow and lots of stairs, glad I could share it.
Thanks so much, Sheila. They do a good job of ensuring an accessible (stair-free) path to all the installations, but I was down too low and facing the wrong direction. I saw the boats from close up, but not the long views you give. I'm glad we're going back!
FYI - the last pic posted by Sheila on 11/12 is of a sculpture called 'Dallas Star'. Chihuly has donated (?) this to the Arboretum so it will be a permanent display.
As for me, I'm eagerly anticipating my night visit on 12/3.
OMG! Went last night and it was stunning! For what could possibly be the first time in my 'adult' life, I am absolutely speechless. And to think that I was worried that it might be bad weather in December. That's laughable as my friends and I were starting to sweat before we'd even seen half of the displays. Anyway, I would like to make a few corrections from what I have previously posted.
Altho I got this info straight from the Arboretum's website, I guess they had a change of heart. They do indeed have little trams (maybe seat 4 adults) available during evening visits. Also, from the moment that you enter, there are concession stands. I don't know what all they were selling, I just know that my peeps both bought some wine to walk around with, to (I guess) enhance their viewing pleasure.
Even tho last night was sold out, there was more than enough parking onsite. Free. Within short, easy walking distance to front entrance. We had planned to arrive at 5:45 since the gates opened at 6. I think we got there closer to 6:30. So even as late-comers, parking was a snap. And we even had time to see many of the exhibits twice. Sigh.
I definitely know that my all time fave on my day visit was the exhibit with the Float Boats. Surprisingly, they weren't as outstanding at night. On the other hand, as you go thru the Women's Garden, right before you get to the Float Boats, there are the Mirrored Hornets. I had barely noticed these during the day. But with the spotlights on them, they became my total night visit fave. Who knew? Anyway, I'm sure we all have our own favorites. Not a dud in the place. :D
One small complaint. The gift shop had some nice pieces of blown glass for about $4500 a pop, and to be fair they had t-shirts, lids, books, etc. as well. But NO postcards! I always buy picture postcards when I go to special museum exhibits. Mail a few and then the rest kinda clutter up the house. So my big bro will not be getting any picture postcards from me. As I said, it's really a small complaint. If I had a newer phone and better eyesight, I could have taken my own pictures.
I hope all of you get a chance to see this wonderful exhibit, whether it be in the daytime or at night. You'll never forget it.
Now I'm going to do a little research on the Dallas Star to find out who actually donated it to the Arboretum. I asked several of the volunteers, but they didn't know that it would be a permanent fixture. I am certain that I read it somewhere, most likely in the Dallas paper. Besides, why else would it be named the DALLAS Star?
tx_flower_child
I hope that you watched the movie showing Dale Chihuly and helpers making his glass pieces. During our training to be a Chihuly advisor they showed us the 30 minute movie and everyone was blown away by it (no pun intended). We all said that the Arboretum should make the movie available to the visitors to the exhibit and they said that they were working on getting clearances to do that, but I never heard that they did. I must have volunteered as a garden guide at least 10 times throughout the summer and fall and never heard or saw any reference to the movie so I assumed that they were never able to work out the obstacles. On my last day as a volunteer in November I walked by a room I had walked by at least 30 times and saw through the glass windows that they were indeed showing the movie and had been all along. It’s the best kept secret I know of and I’m afraid that since nobody knew about it, hardly anyone has seen it. The day I found it and went in to watch it again it was me and one couple.
If you have the chance to go back to the Arboretum before the exhibit ends, it’s worth it just to watch the movie. It runs on a loop so it is always running and you can walk in at any time. When you go in the front gate stay to the right past the information desk, turn right down the little hallway and it’s the room on the left.
I never HEARD of the movie and I have been there twice specifically to see the Chihuly exhibit. Now, on the other hand, I wasn't at liberty (or in a power wheelchair) to go wherever I wanted. I was at the mercy of my husband and his short attention span.
And btw, our granddaughter either loved the exhibit or she loved being out with us. We all had a great time.