Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma, WA
The Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma, WA, is a beautiful and unique landmark that you should not miss out on seeing when visiting the city. This Bridge connects the Museum of Art to Union Station, with its glass archways holding up over 8,000 pieces of blown glass by artist Dale Chihuly. The Bridge also features several interactive musical installations where pedestrians can interact with various colors and patterns created by their movement under the lights. With so much to explore at this location, it’s easy to see why it was voted “Best Tourist Attraction” in 2017.
About the Chihuly Bridge of Glass
World-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly designed the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. It is the only bridge in the country made entirely out of glass, and it also features one central art installation on each end so that people can visit both ends to see something new! This impressive feat of architectural engineering is not just for visitors; it allows residents a unique walk across downtown Tacoma. Visitors will love this attraction because there are many opportunities to take photos with beautiful panoramic views, especially after sunset when all the lights come on.
When the Bridge opened in 2012, it was named “Bridge of Glass” by an anonymous donor. In 2014 a local family donated funds to rename the walkway Chihuly Bridge of Glass at Union Station to honor artist Dale Chihuly. The latter designed many of its glass panels and sculptures.
The original idea for this pedestrian bridge came from Tacoma’s city planners after they observed how Union Station attracted millions of visitors each year but lacked public amenities like restrooms, dining options, or even enough space to accommodate weddings and other large gatherings. It is estimated that more than one million people visit this historic building annually, which has earned its designation on both state and national registers since 1979. Over the years, millions of dollars have been invested in restoring and expanding Union Station to provide a hub for transportation, business, retail development, and tourism.
Chihuly Bridge of Glass comprises more than 500 pieces, including chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to large sculptures on pedestals near both ends of the walkway. This glass-enclosed steel and wooden structure connect Tacoma’s convention center with several hotels. It features artists Dale Chihuly who also created many original blown glass panels that line its interior walls. These include vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, which contrast perfectly against their background composed chiefly of white frosted windows adding softness to this otherwise urban environment. It provides panoramic views across downtown and the Port of Tacoma.
Facts about the Chihuly Bridge of Glass
The Bridge of Glass is an architectural marvel, a glass masterpiece. From its inception to completion, it took years and the work of many artists from around the world, many of whom have been part of other Chihuly projects.
The Bridge of Glass was created with glass blocks. These glass blocks were made by Dale Chihuly and his team at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA. They hand-crafted over 500 pieces for this project, each one unique like snowflakes!
Not only is the Bridge of Glass amazing to look at, but it’s also interactive! On both sides, you can walk across and underneath, getting a glimpse into some beautiful rooms created by Dale Chihuly specifically for this project.
The Bridge of Glass is a stunning piece of art that you can’t help but be drawn to. This unique creation draws inspiration from the beauty and power of nature while also considering what it means to connect two spaces, such as land or buildings. It truly blurs the line between structure and sculpture!
What’s in there at Chihuly Bridge of Glass?
The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is an architectural marvel and one-of-a-kind art installation. It features 27 sky bridges connecting large arches, all constructed using 24,000 individual pieces of specially fabricated colored glass designed by world-famous artist Dale Chihuly. The Tacoma Art Museum also has numerous exhibits to admire, from international traveling exhibitions to permanent collections that include established Western American artists such as Morris Graves and Kenneth Callahan alongside modern contemporary works from Northwest-based artists including Mark Tobey Guy Anderson, Viola Frey, and Jim Dine among many others. In addition to enjoying fantastic artwork, there is also a great restaurant on-site for families or visitors to enjoy lunch, dinner, or even just a snack.
Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a museum filled with the works of American artist Dale Chihuly. It features his glass sculptures in an enclosed walkway over I-705, between the Washington State History Museum and Union Station. This stunning Bridge winds its way through downtown Tacoma’s Eastside neighborhood, providing panoramic views of Thea Foss Waterway and picturesque vistas from every angle imaginable. Adults will appreciate this vibrant explosion of color while children can delight in spotting different shapes throughout the pedestrian path that stretches 700 feet over Interstate 70. Impressive mosaics line either side along with benches for taking it all in at your own pace, it would be almost impossible to race through such beauty!
Artwork on display includes permanent pieces and those created specifically for this installation, such as an enormous purple chandelier made up of hundreds of painstakingly placed individual shards that hang from the ceiling like stalactites. A waterfall runs down one side into a pool below, which gives you another chance to catch your reflection!
The museum has recently expanded with new exhibitions, including “The Nature Of Glass,” featuring blown glass marvels suspended among lush greenery, dazzling works by Dale’s wife Nancy Callan, along with exhibits dedicated to studying native flora throughout Washington State.
Activities in Chihuly Bridge of Glass
Wander through the Bridge and explore eight distinct galleries. See over 2000 colorful blown glass sculptures by renowned artist Dale Chihuly in a bridge spanning an active railroad, highway, and waterway at Puget Sound.
Marvel at more than 400 panes of brilliantly colored glass set within steel trusswork designed to evoke skylines of cities past. Visitors can enjoy views of Mount Rainier from this unique destination with its floor-to-ceiling windows on one side, looking onto Chihuly’s garden room filled with organic shapes that look like they are growing out of the ground.
The other four gallery spaces offer spectacular examples of his work, including pieces never before seen by public eyes. You can purchase hand-crafted artworks made by local artists, many in the same style as Chihuly, in an adjoining gallery.
Indulge in a light lunch or snack at one of three cafes that offer healthy and gluten-free options along with unique drink choices like wine by the glass. Browse through souvenir shops for gifts to take home, including books on Chihuly’s work and Tacoma area attractions.
Take photos throughout the galleries using photo stations marked with green tags, so you don’t forget where they are later when editing your images. Listen to live music played on weekends during summer months, including well-known artists from around Washington State who play everything from folk-rock to string quartets. Wander into this living collection of native plants that are brought to life with sculptural glass art by Chihuly.
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