When I first started this blog I posted about places in Ohio I would like to visit. I have visited some of them since then, but there are still many places on my list. Now as my time here is dwindling, there are sights and sounds around the state I want to spotlight. Some are old-time favorites, others I have been introduced to only recently and the rest are places on my to-do list. These places include restaurants, museums, gardens and other institutions, all reasons why I truly do love this state.

My last installment was the Hancock Historical Museum and Back Street Festival. Up this week is Columbus’ Franklin Park Conservatory.

Sunset Tower

I love glass art and glass blowing. I loved blowing my own glass, too, when I had the chance during glass classes at Bowling Green State University.

When I studied abroad in Salzburg, one of the places I most wanted to visit was Venice, because of its history of glass. When someone asks me what I want to see in Washington, my answer is Tacoma, not Seattle, because Tacoma is home to the Museum of Glass.

I could sit for hours while mesmerized by glass artists at work, which happened for a bit at the Franklin Park Conservatory. What attracted my attention to this museum of gardens was that Dale Chihuly had just held an exhibition there, and many of his indoor pieces of blown glass were left on display, interacting with the plants, animals and water in exhibits.

On display are pieces somewhat shaped like plates that make up the “Persian Ceiling,” spikes of “Green Grass,” floating orbs and a variety of chandeliers.

Floating orbs

To see more photos of Chihuly glass at the Franklin Park Conservatory, click the photo below.

Chihuly chandelier