In Seattle, glassblowing is more than an art form. It’s an Emerald City passion in a city that offers visitors multiple ways to experience it for themselves.
Art lovers will want to head straight for the Seattle Center, where Chihuly Garden and Glass houses Dale Chihuly’s dazzling, vibrant glass sculptures — and the museum’s new restaurant lets you sip and dine among his collections. But you can also visit glass art studios around town, watch glassblowing demonstrations and even try making a molten glass keepsake yourself.
Consider it an immersive adventure of the most artistic sort.
Explore the Chihuly legacy
You’ll find Chihuly’s wildly creative glass installations at museums and venues around the world, from the Toyama Glass Art Museum in Japan to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, which holds the largest permanent collection of his work.
But Washington holds a special place in the heart of this legendary Tacoma-born glass artist. You’ll find his works displayed at the Tacoma Art Museum, on the University of Puget Sound campus — where the alum dedicated a glass installation to his favorite professor — and, of course, in Seattle where Chihuly’s studio lies just a few miles from the 74-acre urban park that houses Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Just steps from the Space Needle, the museum’s striking glass edifice and sculpture garden showcase towering glass structures both indoors and out. The massive, suspended scarlet and yellow Glasshouse Sculpture was installed in 2012, when the museum first opened. Indoors, you’ll find the colorful Mille Fiori — a floral garden of glass that practically glows — and boats filled with ikebana and glass floats and so much more.
If you’re curious about how glass is made, glassmiths or gaffers give outdoor glassblowing demonstrations at the museum’s retrofitted 1967 Airstream — it’s known as the Community Hot Shop — daily starting at 11:15 a.m.
Set a new bar
Many museums have cafeterias or restaurants. This one has a cocktail bar — dubbed simply The Bar. It’s a testament to the Pacific Northwest, with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus that complement the cocktail program; they also serve beer and wine.
The Bar is almost a second museum with 25 of Chihuly’s private collections on display. Antique accordions hang from the ceiling, small glass bottles and other trinkets nestle under the glass-topped dining tables and Chihuly drawings line the walls.
Sip a barrel-aged negroni or a pistachio-infused rye and bourbon Inkwell ($17 each) alongside warm, smoked king salmon dip ($13) and crispy calamari ($11), showcasing the PNW’s oceanic offerings (there’s also fish and chips, soft shell crab and miso clams). Or opt for a Columbia Valley wine alongside slightly spicy Bolognese pasta ($16) or wagyu beef sliders with smoked scamorza cheese ($17 for two).
For those abstaining from alcohol, the housemade sodas are anything but basic — think red wine vinegar, blood orange and cedar smoke ($9). And for those who came for the social experience, communal cocktails ($55, serves four) are available as well.
Blow your own
Once you’ve accumulated enough inspiration (but preferably not immediately after indulging in a cocktail), head to the Seattle Glassblowing Studio, a half-mile walk away. Here, a team of talented artists waits to open their kilns and share their knowledge of glassblowing with you as you embark on a DIY project in the hot shop.
The studio gets hot, and protective gloves and goggles are required, but the experience is surprisingly interactive. So choose a project from the wall of beginner options — paperweights, bowls, perhaps a decorative pumpkin — and let the pros help you get started.
There are a few safety rules and tricks — the practice requires constant movement, for example, so the melted materials don’t fall back into the oven as you’re working. Follow the studio’s guidance, and you’ll be just fine.
Paperweights offer the most creative control. But — happy surprise — you can use the bowls you make here, as long as you keep them out of the heat. Don’t put them in a dishwasher, for example, or microwave. (Tip: Ship your handmade glass art home, so your creation makes it safely.)
Start a collection
Looking to do a little shopping? The shelves at the Seattle Glassblowing Studio shop offer everything from large vases to animal trinkets; some, perhaps, created by the pro who just assisted you.
Then explore more glassblowing studios and shops. Among the possibilities: Seattle’s Totally Blown Glassworks, Glasshouse Studio, Avalon Glassworks, DeCicio Artisan Glass, Karaba Art Glass and Fremont Antique Glass Co., as well as galleries such as Edge of Glass and Blowing Sands.
Think outside the box when choosing blown glass. You can buy artwork to grace your shelves, of course, but many blown glass items — drinking glasses, lamps, jewelry dishes — are made to be used. They’re beautiful and practical at the same time.
If You Go
Chihuly Garden & Glass: Admission is $26-$35. The museum opens at 10 a.m. daily at 305 Harrison St. in Seattle. The Bar is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 pm.; www.chihulygardenandglass.com.
Seattle Glassblowing Studio: The studio is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 2227 Fifth Ave. Hands-on glassblowing experiences ($70 and up) are available daily by reservation; www.seattleglassblowing.com.
Totally Blown Glassworks: Hours vary. 5607 Corson Ave.; www.dehannajones.com.
Glasshouse Studio: Opens at 10 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. Sundays at 311 Occidental Ave. in Pioneer Square; www.glasshouse-studio.com.
Avalon Glassworks: Open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at 2914 SW Avalon Way; www.avalonglassworks.com.
DeCicio Artisan Glass: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays at 5416 Shilshole Ave. NW; www.decicioglass.com.
Karaba Art Glass: Opens at noon Mondays, 11 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday at Pike Place Market; www.theglasspumpkin.com.
Fremont Antique Glass Co: Make an appointment to view glass production and shop at the warehouse by emailing fremontantiqueglass@gmail.com. 3614 Second Ave. NW; www.fremontantiqueglass.com
Edge of Glass Gallery: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 513H N. 36th St.; www.edgeofglass.com.
Blowing Sands: Call 206-783-5314 for hours or to shop by appointment. 5805 14th Ave. NW; www.blowingsands.com
