FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Columbus Unveils Second Public Work of Art by Dale Chihuly

Columbus, Indiana – August 21, 2007 – Columbus now has a second major public work of art by internationally-acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly. Sun Garden Panels in Suspended Circle, commissioned and donated by the Richard Johnson family is the signature artistic element in the Johnson Family Atrium at the Columbus Learning Center. It joins the Columbus Visitors Center’s popular Yellow Chandelier as the second of Chihuly’s creations in local public spaces.

Each of the 32 panels in "Sun Garden" was created, painted, and boldly signed by Chihuly specifically to be suspended beneath the Atrium’s skylight where sunlight from above shines through the translucent plexiglass panels, and spotlights in the evening illuminate it. Chihuly has interpreted several of the forms he developed in blown-glass forms on the 36"x35" panels of "Sun Garden," including his Baskets, Reeds, Ikebana and Floats. Chihuly painted directly from 4-ounce twist-top plastic bottles, peppering the panels with polymer-based acrylic colors selected from the 92 hues in his palette. He squeezes the bottles to create the hard lines and circles. The background colors were applied with a mop.

Mike Dickbernd, who photographed "Sun Garden" for the Learning Center, commented, "The Chihuly display is a beautiful use of light and color. The semi-transparent pieces appear substantially different depending on the time of day and how the natural ceiling light passes through them. It is a very inviting piece that works wonderfully within its circular surrounds."

The Learning Center installation was completed within the past two weeks by a team from Chihuly’s Seattle studio, whose two members placed and shaped the panels into the 2,500- pound grid and circle of tubular steel. The steel form was designed to the artist’s specifications by Cape Coral Steel, Inc. in the company’s Hope facility. Taylor Bros. Construction painted and hoisted the 19-foot circular artwork to its location in the Atrium.

Al Degner, president of the Community Education Coalition, said that this magnificent work of art is tangible evidence of what the community already knows – that Dick Johnson and his family are committed to providing leadership in expanding and improving educational opportunities for local and area citizens. They also demonstrate through this gift that interaction with the arts and cultural experiences greatly enhance the total educational environment. Degner encourages the public to view "Sun Garden."

Learning Center hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.