Franklin Park Conservatory's full permanent collection of work by artist Dale Chihuly, represented by thousands of individually blown glass elements, will be on view once again, "reimagined" in this unparalleled setting beginning July 4, 2009. Chihuly's work will appear in flourishing garden settings, floating in ponds, and suspended in mid-air for this new exhibition of his work, Chihuly Reimagined. In addition to the Conservatory's existing collection, several installations new to the Conservatory and Columbus will be featured. Chihuly Reimagined is the first of two major exhibitions celebrating the artist's work, part of a full year of programs entitled Chihuly in Columbus, presented in partnership with The Columbus Museum of Art.

Visitors to the Conservatory during Chihuly Reimagined will also have the opportunity to enjoy an up-close experience with the process of glassblowing at the Hot Shop, opening on August 15, 2009. Housed in a new outdoor glassblowing pavilion, the Hot Shop will feature daily demonstrations by professional gaffers - master glass blowers - as they gather molten glass and transform it into a finished piece of blown glass artwork. Every step of the process will be described in the lively and informative 25-minute sessions.

Glass pieces produced in the Hot Shop will be available for sale at Botanica, and the Hot Shop will be available for special event rental. The Conservatory will host arts-inspired classes and Hot Shop workshops throughout the duration of the exhibition. For more information about the Hot Shop, the following classes, and other course offerings, please refer to the Conservatory's website: www.fpconservatory.org.

Introduction to Glassblowing: This ten-week course will introduce participants to glassblowing and serve as a foundation for further study. Students will learn how to create a blown glass vessel independently, and learn the basics of color application.

Hot Nights: These weekly workshops will enable participants to work alongside the gaffers to create their own colorful pieces of blown glass artwork. No previous glassblowing experience is necessary.

Personal Training: This is a private lesson for up to two people. Participants will design their project and create a finished work of art with the gaffer. No previous glassblowing experience is necessary.