“Blue Birch Reeds and Scorpion Tails” stands out against the Papago Buttes
CHIHULY IN THE DESERT
The famed sculptor’s works are on display at the Desert Botanical Garden and Taliesin West
By Teresa Bitler
Now through June 19, Allegiant passengers can appreciate the colorful glass artwork of Dale Chihuly at two of the Valley’s top attractions, the Desert Botanical Garden and Taliesin West. Time slots for a visit are available during the day, when shifting light adds to the pieces’ beauty, or at night, when they glow among the saguaro and desert plants. Advanced tickets are required.
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN Eleven glass installations along the garden’s trails plus a gallery inside Dorrance Hall showcase the talent of Chihuly, whose work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. One of the most popular pieces is “Fiori Boat,” an actual antique boat from Chihuly’s personal collection overflowing with vibrant spheres, curling tails and glass sticks against the backdrop of Papago Buttes. In the gallery, guests can appreciate smaller works, like “Rotolo” with its entwined cylinders, as well as framed drawings. Although viewing the pieces after dark is popular, daytime visits make touring the actual garden possible as well. While visiting during the day, Allegiant passengers can see more than 50,000 cacti and desert plants on the garden’s five trails and learn how people, flora, and fauna survive in the Sonoran Desert. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and prices vary
