As part of the new Cal Poly Arts Speakers/ Lecture series, world-class studio glass artist DALE CHIHULY will be featured in a free lecture at the Spanos Theatre.

FREE. GENERAL ADMISSION.

A glass sculptor of world renown and the architect of what came to be known as the Studio Glass Movement, Dale Chihuly is now widely recognized as the world's premier glass artist. Already an artist in the field, he was blinded in his left eye in a car accident in 1976, yet continued to create his splendor. A shoulder dislocation in 1979 found him no longer able to hold the glass blowing pipe. He hired others to do the work: "Once I stepped back, I liked the view…(I'm) more choreographer than dancer, more supervisor than participant, more director than actor."

Chihuly has created many well-known series of works, among them the Baskets, Persians, and Seaforms, but he is also celebrated for large architectural installations, such as multi-faceted international project, "Chihuly over Venice." His glass sculpture can be found in over 150 major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Louvre, and the Whitney Museum.

Mr. Chihuly will be offering a lecture on his glass-blowing projects, accompanied by a video presentation and Q & A session.

General admission.

SPECIAL RECEPTION INFO: A reception will be held in conjunction with San Luis Obispo Art Center on 11/30/09, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Art Center, 1010 Broad St. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served during a meet-and- greet with Mr. Chihuly. Attendees will also be able to view art by Central Coast glass artists.

Reception price is $60/person and includes premium seating in first four rows for the 8 p.m. lecture in Spanos Theatre.

Signed copies of "Chihuly Black" may be pre-ordered when purchasing tickets to the reception.

Reception tickets and reservations:
Val Bluett / Cal Poly Arts
805-756-5999
vbluett@calpoly.edu