A towering glass sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly will soon greet visitors to Downtown Round Rock, marking the first permanent public Chihuly installation in the Austin area.
The centerpiece, titled Ruby Sunstone Pineapple, stands 9 feet tall and is composed of more than 200 individually hand-blown glass elements. The sculpture weighs approximately 460 pounds and has been installed as a permanent feature at the Round Rock City Arts Center.
The installation will open to the public July 15 alongside a special exhibition featuring seven additional original works on loan from Chihuly Studio for three months. The exhibit will also include artwork by Round Rock-based artist Ziesook You.
Chihuly is widely recognized for his large-scale glass installations and for helping transform the studio glass movement into a major contemporary art form. His work is represented in more than 200 museum collections worldwide and has been featured in museums, botanical gardens and public spaces across the globe.
While Chihuly works can be found in museums and public buildings in San Antonio, Houston and Dallas, city officials say the Round Rock installation is the first permanent Chihuly artwork available for public viewing in the Austin metropolitan area.
The sculpture was commissioned specifically for the City Arts Center and funded through hotel occupancy tax revenue paid by visitors staying in Round Rock hotels. City leaders say the project is intended to strengthen the City Arts Center’s role as a regional arts destination and draw additional visitors to Downtown Round Rock.
Williamson Reporter 