The Morean Arts Center Board of Trustees announces today that the Chihuly Collection will be relocating from Beach Drive to a new property on the 700 block of Central Avenue. The new location will include an exhibition space and approximately 4,000 square feet of outdoor space. Grand opening of the new collection is scheduled for fall of 2016.
The Chihuly Collection presented by the Morean Arts Center is currently located at 400 Beach Drive, and will continue to operate normal business hours through summer 2016.
“The Collection has made such a huge impact on the arts community of St. Petersburg as a whole”, stated Nancy Loehr, Morean Arts Center Board Chair. “The excitement of being able to expand and improve the collection as well as continue the city’s transformation to a major arts destination is exhilarating,” Loehr continued.
Since the opening of the Chihuly Collection in 2010, St. Petersburg continues to solidify itself as a major arts destination in the country, voted #1 for mid-size cities three years running according to American Style Magazine.
Roger Ross, Morean Arts Center Interim Director, stated that “revenue generated through the Chihuly Collection helps sustain the educational programs at the Morean Arts Center. The Collection and the Morean will benefit greatly from their close proximity to each other. Guests will be able to see immediately the impact their dollars have on the local arts community,” Ross continued.
Andy Schlauch, Chihuly Collection Executive Director, described the new gallery location as “a chance to showcase Chihuly’s artwork with more flexibility than the current location offers.”
The Chihuly Collection is currently located in the heart of the most vibrant tourist area in St. Petersburg, within walking distance of the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, the Museum of Fine Arts, Salvador Dali
Museum, and a multitude of galleries, restaurants and shops. This location will remain open to the public through Summer 2016.
Dale Chihuly’s passion and support of children’s art education was a prime reason for choosing St. Petersburg as the home for the Chihuly Collection. All net proceeds stay local to St. Petersburg to help support and sustain the educational programs at the Morean Arts Center. “I love St. Pete and always enjoy visiting. The Chihuly Collection is very special and I’m so pleased that this new space will provide visitors with some new opportunities to enjoy my artwork”, stated Dale Chihuly.
The Morean Arts Center, with roots dating back to 1917 as the Art Club of St. Petersburg, focuses on an innovative, community-oriented approach to art and art education. The mission of the Morean Arts Center is to connect people with art and to contribute to the economic development of the region. Operating under the Morean Arts Center includes the Chihuly Collection, Glass Studio & Hot Shop and the Morean Center for Clay.