Is it all about Chihuly or does the Tacoma area have an indigenous glass industry? Go west of here and one finds much made of glass in Toledo, home of Libby-Owens. Same for Corning in New York with its world-class glass museum.

We didn’t see any glass except at the Pike Street (crafts) market. The best place for glass, I think, is Tacoma, down the road about 50 miles. There the Glass Museum always has something in play. The Glass Museum commissioned Dale Chihuly to do some permanent work and the Historical Society, next door to the Glass Museum, also acquired some fine window pieces from him. But as I said, we didn’t go there this time.
http://www.chihuly.com/

Portland has picked up from the region’s glass expertise and so Bullseye Glass is our local place of honor in the field. Last month was the big conference of art glass makers, held in Portland, and you could knock into glass work in every gallery in town.

I know that you guys enjoy the Washington glass scene. Did you catch any of the glass galleries while in Seattle? The little that I had time for while there was terrific. The folks there have reached critical mass in that medium.

Steve, your description of the art walks in Bozeman makes me homesick for small towns. In Portland, First Thursdays are so crowded and trendy that we never attend. The art can’t be seen and there’s no decent quiche to keep one moving. And none of our friends can stand the crowds either, so we’re stuck with our own limited ideas about the unseen art –snort–

Melanie, thanks for the links. What fun.

And Angela, I’m glad you liked the tour. It’s hard to capture even a tiny bit of the experience in writing, so I’m hoping I managed. Seattle is a great hoping vivid city — well worth wandering around in.

And there was a wonderful sculpture group at the Whitney of a circus. It may still be there — but a few years ago the Whitney was considering taking it out of the lobby and there was considerable hoopla of protest. This is not a great photograph of it, but it gives a tiny idea of its charm:
http://www.whitney.org/www/american_voices/540/index.html

I also love art immersion experiences, which is why I enjoy the monthly Artwalks with all galleries open, plus sidewalk music. Last night there was salmon quiche and more to make a meal of while looking. An advantage of a smaller town like Bozeman is always running into friends to chat and discuss the art with.