April 2, 2007

Circle Of Friends Unveils "the NSU Glass Garden” By Chihuly At NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library
Profusion of Glass and Color by World Renowned Glass Sculptor Dale Chihuly Opens  to the Community and Online Community

Davie-Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  – For the first time ever, residents in Broward County will have the pleasure of viewing an installation of Dale Chihuly’s artwork in their own backyard. “The NSU Glass Garden,” funded through the members of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library and private donations, will be installed in the Library’s atrium mezzanine (3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd, Davie, Fla.) and be open to the community for viewing beginning Friday, April 27.

This will mark Chihuly’s sixth installation designed at a library. Taking cues from the natural light and architecture of the modern library facility, the installation was specifically commissioned for the Alvin Sherman Library.  The artwork was inspired by Chihuly’s celebrated “Fiori” (Italian: flower) series. Measuring approximately 18’ X 7.5’ X  4’ the piece will include more than two dozen unique hand-blown glass shapes reminiscent of a vibrant garden landscape.

“Our goal is to build a lasting visual legacy for the community, and this Chihuly piece is going to provide a stunning centerpiece for our efforts,” said Glenda Abbate, president, Alvin Sherman Library’s Circle of Friends. “We would like to thank everyone who has made this dream, and this gift to our community, come to fruition.”

Major donors include: Sun-Sentinel Children's Fund, Joan and Milton Baxt Foundation, Michael and Gail Kaplan, Albert McDonald, James Doan and Ron Norwood, Marianne Ferro, Albert & Beatriz Miniaci, Anita Paoli, Esq., and Arlene Pecora. Contributors also included: BankAtlantic Foundation, Berger Singerman, Drs. Silvia and Arturo Flores, Albert and Esther Kaufman Foundation, Dr. Marlyn and Rabbi Lewis Littman, Samuel F. Morrison, AutoNation, Bruce Bachmann, Norbert Gaelen, Mrs. Benjamin Keyfetz, Alan and Marsha Levy, Donald Riggs, Leonard and Sally Robbins, Glenda and Florio Abbate, and Wachovia Wealth Management.

uVu, (pronounced "You View"), a video-sharing website hosted by WPBT/Channel 2 that  features broadband content will be taping the installation and unveiling of the sculpture at NSU for viewing at any time on the site http://uvu.channel2.org . uVu allows arts institutions, local artists, museums, and schools to supply content and create a regional forum for archiving events and exhibits to create a living warehouse for anyone interested in taking the "social temperature" of South Florida .

“The installation of this piece is particularly timely, as the library is celebrating a milestone --its fifth anniversary as a part of the community,’ said Donald E. Riggs, vice president for information services and university librarian for Nova Southeastern University. “The work being done through the Circle of Friends underscores the importance this library has, not only as a research and technology resource, but also as a cultural catalyst within South Florida.”

The Alvin Sherman Library will host a series of events to celebrate the unveiling of “The NSU Glass Garden.” Thanks to the generosity of the Library’s Circle of Friends free al fresco glassblowing demonstrations will be provided by artisans from The Corning Museum of Glass, April 27 – 29.  Public library events including Children Love Chihuly reading hour on Wednesday, April 25 beginning at 10 a.m. as well as arts and crafts for children and teens will be offered on April 28. This includes a special “You Design It; We Make It!” feature where artists of all ages may enter drawings . Selected works will be turned into glass by the visiting artists from The Corning Museum of Glass. Please visit http://www.nova.edu/library/chihuly for a full schedule of events.

Thursday, April 26, a private gala will be held to unveil “The NSU Glass Garden.” Tickets are free for Circle of Friends members and $50 for non-members – this includes a one-year membership to the Circle of Friends. The gala will be sponsored by Blue Moon Fish Company, Skyy Vodka, Panache Event Specialists, Berger Singerman, Glenda and Florio Abbate, Halmos Holdings, Albert & Esther Kaufman Foundation, Joan Baxt, Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio, LLC, Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., and Colonial Bank. For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, please contact 954.262.4627.

The Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center is a joint-use facility between the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and Nova Southeastern University. Located on NSU’s main campus, it is the largest library building in the state of Florida.  The Alvin Sherman Library serves the residents of Broward County, and provides full academic support resources for NSU students, faculty, and staff members.  The building is five stories high and also contains the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.  For more information please visit www.nova.edu/library.