Dale Chihuly, Sapphire Star, 2010, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide, Australia, installed 2024 © 2010 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. Photograph by Nathaniel Willson
The opening two weeks of the Adelaide-exclusive, Australian-first Chihuly in the Botanic Garden exhibition have exceeded all expectations, as glass gazers pour into the city in extraordinary numbers to discover the stunning collection of large-scale hand-blown glass art installations by one of the world’s most celebrated contemporary artists, Dale Chihuly.
In a remarkable start, the exhibition’s official launch on 27 September attracted 10,529 visits across the various event experiences, breaking the Adelaide Botanic Garden’s previous daily visitation record set in 2023. Since then, the record high continues to be reset as word spreads fast about this unmissable world-class experience. As of 13 October 2024, the Garden’s new daily visitation record stands at 15,576, set on Monday 7 October, with total visitation across the first 18 days being 180,302.
As well as the free Garden Experience, where daytime visitors can encounter 15 of Chihuly’s works along a 2km curated nature art trail, there are ticketed opportunities to discover the masterpieces after-dark and gain insights into the artists’ mind and motivations in a more intimate indoor exhibition. Both ticketed events are drawing strong numbers on their own, with 8,556 people attending Chihuly Nights and 10,325 visiting In Full Colour: Dale Chihuly inside the exquisite Bicentennial Conservatory, as at Sunday 13 October.
Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Director Michael Harvey said bringing Chihuly in the Botanic Garden to life has been an epic Trans-Pacific feat over countless months.
"I want to acknowledge the incredible hometown team, along with everyone at Chihuly Studio in Seattle, for working tirelessly to bring this exclusive event to Adelaide for the enjoyment of audiences near and far."
"The blooming of our Corpse Flower is renowned for attracting big numbers so Adelaide Botanic Garden is no stranger to visitors; but the buzz surrounding the unveiling of the Chihuly works, combined with school holidays and a welcome warm start to spring, has us tracking over double our attendance against the same period last year." Mr Harvey said.
"We are beyond thrilled with the level of interest so far with both Adelaideans and out-of-town visitors combining to break our previous daily visitation record nine times in just the first two weeks. We encourage people to return to experience the exhibition through the different seasons, and we anticipate elevated visitation to the Garden right up until 29 April 2025.”
Tourism Minister of South Australia, Hon. Zoe Bettison MP said: “I am thrilled to see the opening two weeks of the Australian-first Chihuly in the Botanic Garden exhibition exceed all expectations and have so many South Australians embrace the exhibition but also happy to see visitation and ticket sales from interstate visitors being so strong."
The timing of this Australian first exclusive exhibition in our very own Adelaide Botanic Garden will cross over three school holiday periods as well as several other major events that our city is well known for, giving visitors a reason to stay in Adelaide a little longer and immerse themselves in art and nature.
As artistic expressions of the natural world, Adelaide’s 50-hectare Botanic Garden provides an incomparable setting for Chihuly’s creations as well as another crucial commodity for art appreciation – the space to abate any sense of feeling rushed or crowded.
This exhibition encourages visitors to explore not just our Gardens but our whole city and it’s great to see the great impact it’s already had on the East End and the rest of the city.
“Whether you visit by day or night, plan your outing or discover the artworks by surprise, overwhelming positive feedback reassures us that these stunning works are resonating with all age groups, and can be comfortably appreciated at people’s leisure.” Mr Harvey added.
The exhibition’s flow-on benefits for the economy are already being felt across the wider city limits as locals and tourists top or tail their Chihuly visit with short and long-stay hotel accommodation, dining out in different precincts and retail spending.
Deputy Premier, Honourable Susan Close MP said the opportunity to connect to nature is extremely important, especially in urban centres, which is why the South Australian Government is pleased to support this event.
“The number of people visiting this remarkable exhibition highlights what an extraordinary asset the Adelaide Botanic Garden is to our state. This has no doubt attracted new audiences to the Botanic Gardens, bringing people outdoors to enjoy a genuinely uplifting experience.”
Leading South Australian property developer and East End advocate Theo Maras AM said:
“With over 120,000 visitations in a fortnight, Chihuly in the Botanic Garden has had a great impact on the East End and to the city. Since opening, we have seen a trail of visitors moving between the Botanic Garden and the East End restaurant area. Congratulations to the Botanic Gardens and the South Australian Government for this wonderful initiative.”
The project is extended throughout its season by JamFactory exhibitions, ticketed special events like the Wednesday Wonders science evenings in November, and continuous onsite dining options for every taste and budget, the next six months will be a truly special time for locals and visitors to Adelaide, as Chihuly in the Botanic Garden brings art, nature and science together in a myriad of captivating new ways.
