Chihuly Sculpture Lands Permanent Home In Garden

Saffron Tower, internationally acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly's 30-foot-tall yellow neon sculpture, has found a home in the Atlanta Botanical Garden's permanent collection of fine art.The sculpture, on loan from the artist since it was first shown in the Garden during the 2016 Chihuly in the Garden exhibition, has been acquired with the generous support of community gifts and donations.

"We are thrilled to announce this beautiful piece of art will join other sculptures by Dale Chihuly in the Garden as a legacy to his wonderful exhibitions presented here," said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden's President & CEO.

The Garden first introduced Chihuly's work to Atlantans in 2004 during a blockbuster exhibition that doubled the Garden's annual attendance and membership levels, setting the stage for dynamic growth and a reputation as an idyllic setting for presenting world-class art. In 2016, the Garden presented an encore exhibition of the Seattle artist's work, including Saffron Tower, which emits its warm glow from more than a half-mile of glass and 312 hand-formed neon tubes.The sculpture, which stands as a beacon for visitors in the Gardens in Storza Woods, joins several other popular Chihuly works in the permanent collection. The Blue & White sculpture in the Levy Parterre fountain has become a Garden icon, while the Nepenthes Chandelier in the Hardin Visitor Center is inspired by the pitcher plants that are one focus of the Garden's plant conservation work. In addition, a series of Chihuly drawings hangs prominently in the Garden's Longleaf restaurant.The Saffron Tower acquisition was made possible by leadership support from the City of Atlanta and generous gifts from The Molly Blank Fund, The Imlay Foundation and Forward Arts Foundation; additional support from The Brown Foundation Inc.; and individual donations.