Being a “boy mom” is something that has come very naturally to me. So much so that I find it rather strange (and rude, if I am being honest) when someone asks me if I was hoping for a girl. Boys just make sense to me, with all their rough and tumble shenanigans. Even before became the reigning queen of the testosterone jungle, I was not very girly. I love sports with a passion that could rival any red blooded man and I really, really don’t care for pink. Really.
I do have some “feminine” wiles, though, including a passion for all the arts, but especially the visual arts. For a while, I wondered how four boys made of a glorious combination of noise and dirt would be able to enjoy that passion with me. Fortunately, they all have an artistic side that includes taking a brief pause from body slamming each other to enjoy art along with their mom. Together we have toured some of the finest art institutions in the world and I have had some of my proudest “mom” moments watching them enjoy themselves as they absorb a new artist.
Even with all that arty background, they have never responded to an artist with the fervor that they brought to the Dale Chihuly art installation at the Dallas Arboretum. It isn’t any wonder that they were so inspired by these remarkable art glass sculptures. The multi-colored brilliance of the larger than life sculptures stops visitors young and old in their tracks.
The twists and turns of the glass radiate color with such intensity when paired with the persistent Texas sun that the Dallas Arboretum seems a perfect setting to showcase the art. While the sculptures are certainly the stars of the show, the garden does its part to create a perfect canvas for the sculptures to mimic nature, but remain so whimsically unnatural that the instantly capture the imagination.
Across the garden, my kids would catch a shimmering sculpture peeping from behind a shrub and they would begin to shriek and run as though they had caught a glimpse of Mickey Mouse for the first time. I honestly couldn’t believe this art was getting such a reception, but the beauty and power of the sculptures seemed to be infectious. The openness of the garden air allowed their exuberance to overflow as they studied the sculptures from all angles and discussed what they thought each sculpture might represent. Unlike visiting an art gallery, where I often have to work diligently to pull them into the art, they were fully engaged from first sight.
After exploring for most of the morning without even one word of complaint or sigh of boredom, I happily considered the day a rousing success in the world of boys and art and outings. As we exited, they were happily chatting about their favorite sculpture and when we could come back and see them again. Perhaps, I shouldn’t have been so surprised that the works of Dale Chihuly were so heartily received by children, after all. Kids and this art really have so much in common-colorful, wild, full of energy, and something magical to behold with wonder.
~Dallas isn't the only place to find the art of Chihuly and my kids aren't the only ones who love his art. Check out these other posts from familes who have fully experienced his art. ~
Arrows Sent Forth treated her little one to a hands on exhibit inspired by Chihuly's art.
Chihuly's art was the breakthrough into art loving for little Backpack to Buggy
Delicious Baby is lucky enough to live in the home state of Chihuly and shares her experience with visiting his museum.
Check out the World's Largest Permanent Chihuly exhibit at Go Big or Go Home
Mother of All Trips enjoyed a rare kid free day exploring Chihuly's sculptures in the arid Desert Botanical Gardens.
Take a Roadtrip with Girlfriends and check out the Chihuly exhibits at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass.
St Petersburg, FL has a permanent Chihuly exhibit as shared by Trekaroo
The Tacoma Museum of Glass offers an unbelievable bridge of Chihuly's genius as shared by The Vacation Gals
Would you take a toddler to a museum full of glass? Walkingon Travels has great tips to make it happen.
Take a walk through the Meijer Sculpture Gardens with Wandering Eductors
~ Today I am linking up with Budget Travelers Sandbox and R We There Yet Mom?~
Your photos are amazing! But I suppose the subject lends itself to picture perfection! I'm glad to hear your boys enjoyed it as much as you did.
gorgeous photos!! i love chihuly's work – and am so very glad it's all around the nation for people to see! thanks for sharing this magic!
Hi Jessica-
Also being an art lover, traveler, and parent of young kids, I love your post! A few years back, I put together a resource called The Art Lover's Guide to Traveling With Kids (North American edition) for a contest. I didn't win, but there's the guide, which you can download for free. It may be helpful for your travels! It includes locations all over the U.S., including histroic artist's homes, outdoor museums/sculpture parks, public art, outsider art environments, and kids' museums with an arts focus. So many kid-friendly places!
Best,
Joanne
I think this must be a "traveling" exhibition as it looks very much like one I saw in Phoenix a couple years ago.
I had never heard of Chihuly before this week but after the photos that I have seen, I'm becoming a big fan of his work. It would be impossible not to love all these great colours – I particularly love that boat! Now I really want to find out if we are going to be anywhere near one of his exhibitions.
That boat full of glass orbs is so beautiful, I can hardly stop looking at it. Chihuly's work is amazing, and I especially love the fact that both you and Keryn have posted about it this week!
Love, love all the colorful and wonderful Chihuly art you shared here and all around the blogosphere. They're all amazing and mesmerizing. No wonder your boys couldn't get enough of it. I've only seen some of his Vegas work but I think he has a gallery there too that I really need to see after all the Chihuly love you ladies all shared. i feel like I've missed out on a lot already =)
Don't you just love photographing his work? His colors and shapes make it so easy. Was the boat in Dallas actually on the water or just placed on a really polished black surface like ours here in Seattle? So excited that your boys had such an amazing time. It really is a kid (and parent!) pleaser for sure.
Chihuly is simply amazing. I've seen his work at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Stunning. Would definitely visit the arboretum in Dallas to see his work, too.
I love art glass, and I have an artistic daughter who would love an exhibit like this. We haven't been to a Chihuly exhibit yet, but it's nice to see that we're bound to run into one before long.
What a great exhibit! It's so colorful; I can understand why it would appeal to both adults and children.
Can you purchase a painting of the boat?