Private Views and Evening Events

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew
Supported by GlaxoSmithKline
28 May 2005 - 15 January 2006

With the gardens and glasshouses at Kew transformed by Dale Chihuly's large-scale, vibrantly-coloured glass installations, an exclusive series of private views provides a rare opportunity to see the exhibition after hours. Canape Packages and Dinner Packages will be available on 27 July, 31 August, 28 September, 8 December. Don't miss the chance to see this stunning exhibition by visiting at dusk when the illuminated sculptures come alive!

Canape Packages - £25

Includes an exclusive private view of the Chihuly installations in the Temperate House, a glass of wine and canapés with strolling musicians, Kew Explorer people mover tours through the Gardens, special access to the White Peaks shopping area.

Dinner Packages - £65

Includes a private view of the Chihuly installations in the Temperate House, a glass of wine and canapés with strolling musicians, a three course set dinner in the Orangery begins between 7.30pm and 9.00pm including half a bottle of wine per person with themed tables, Kew Explorer people mover tours through the Gardens, special access to the White Peaks shopping area.

Entry via Main Gate on Kew Green
View Time 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Dress fun and colourful!

To book tickets www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Ticket Hotline 0870 150 5415

Further information:

For further information and images please contact Anna Quenby, Lauren Bird or Oliver Basciano in the Kew Gardens Press Office, Telephone 020 8332 5607, email pr@kew.org.

Visit www.kew.org for further information about the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Notes to Editors:

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew, supported by GlaxoSmithKline, is a major exhibition of large-scale, vividly-coloured, organically-shaped glass installations by renowned American artist, Dale Chihuly. This spectacular sequence of uniquely-shaped and vibrantly-coloured glass sculptures displayed in Kew's historic glasshouses and unique garden landscape is the first exhibition of its kind in to be held in Europe . The exhibition has been specifically designed to respond to the plants, trees, historic landscape, architecture and sweeping vistas of Kew. The exhibition is on from 28 May 2005 until January 2006, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the works throughout the changing seasons. www.kew.org/chihuly.

Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly was born in Tacoma , Washington in 1941. He trained with Harvey Littleton, the father of American studio glass, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the illustrious Venini factory in Venice, established the glass course a the famous Rhode Island School of Design and became the founding artist of Pilchuck Glass School, the pre-eminent school of glass. He leads the avant garde in the development of glass blowing as a studio art. Dale Chihuly has travelled widely and exhibited internationally. His work is held in over 200 museums throughout the world. For further information please visit www.chihuly.com.

Royal Botanic Gardens , Kew

Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction and its 132 hectares of landscaped gardens attract over one million visitors per year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and represents over 250 years of historical landscape. RBG, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. www.kew.org.

GlaxoSmithKline

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew is supported by GlaxoSmithKline as part of the company's community support programme. With global headquarters close to Kew in Brentford, the company has a continuing programme of charitable activities in the UK, funding a variety of projects in the following areas: healthcare, scientific education, medical research, the arts and the environment. The company is a longstanding supporter of Kew, having sponsored a number of projects at the Gardens, the most recent of which was the Go Wild festival in 2003. For further information on GSK's community programmes please visit www.gsk.com/community.