DAY TRIPPIN': MOUNT DORA TO DALI AND CHIHULY

4/1/2021

A special day trip to one city on Florida’s west coast is guaranteed to make art lovers giddy. Two of the State’s most impressive art collections are permanently housed in St. Petersburg, just a two-hour drive from downtown Mount Dora. Beautiful downtown St. Petersburg is home to The Dali museum and the spectacular Chihuly Collection about a mile away.

Visitors can enjoy both collections on the same day if they take in the Chihuly Collection first and then make the quick mile trek to The Dali, which remains open until 9 p.m.

CHIHULY COLLECTION
BY MOREAN ARTS CENTER

720 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Just over a mile away from The Dali, art lovers will find another permanent collection from a world-renowned artist. The Chihuly Collection, presented by the Morean Arts Center, presents the bold and innovative glass works of internationally acclaimed American artist Dale Chihuly. The permanent collection is housed in a building that was designed specifically for the artist’s unique work to allow the art and architecture to work together to create a captivating experience of light, color and form. A much deeper appreciation is gained for the methods, potential and creativity of glass art after experiencing such an impressive display.

The intimate collection includes Chihuly’s large-scale installations like Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier and several impressive series works including Niijima Floats, Macchia, Ikebana, Persians and Tumbleweeds, which have captivated art lovers around the world.

Chihuly’s work is bold and awe-inspiring and leaves a lasting impression. The American artist’s impressive international installations include “Chihuly Over Venice” with his glass sculptures installed over the canals and piazze, and "Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem,” attended by more than one million visitors. “Chihuly Bridge of Glass” in Tacoma, Washington, and the “Lime Green Icicle Tower,” a 42-foot glass and steel sculpture housed in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts are two more of his spectacular large-scale works.
Guests to the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg can continue their glass journey by watching local glass artists create new works in the Morean Glass Studio and Hot Shop located at the Morean Arts Center. Glass Blowing demonstrations are offered at the top of every hour from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and Sundays, but there is no noon demonstration on Sundays. The Morean Glass Studio is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Adult tickets to the Chihuly Collection By Morean Arts Center are $20. Student tickets (with current student I.D.) are $13. Buy tickets here.

the dali
(THE SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM)

1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Located on downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront, The Dali is home to an impressive collection of over 2,400 works by Salvador Dalí, the Spanish surrealist artist. The collection includes 96 oil paintings and the museum boasts a three-star Michelin rating.

This museum, housed in a contemporary architectural masterpiece, never disappoints. After visitors enter the awe-inspiring building with its blue reflective glass panels, they can ascend the winding modern staircase to enter the galleries where they will find Dali’s work as well as world-class visiting art exhibits.

Visitors that arrive by June 13 can experience Van Gogh Alive, an immersive and over-sized art installation that allows viewers to experience the art in a transformative way. The visiting art exhibition showcases more than 3,000 Vincent Van Gogh images of enormous scale viewed using high-definition projectors and synchronized to a classical score. In addition to the Dutch artist's iconic artwork, guests will also discover his inspiration via photos and videos.

The Dali’s distinctive gardens on the waterfront and Café Gala, featuring authentic Spanish cuisine, provide additional memorable experiences for guests.

Admission is $25 and there are discounts for students, seniors and youth. The Dali is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Buy tickets here.

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