Fort Wayne Museum of Art has unveiled the Amber & Waterford Crystal Chandelier by Dale Chihuly, the museum’s second chandelier by the internationally renowned glass artist. 

Chihuly is recognized for his ambitious architectural installations around the world in historic cities, public museums, and gardens. He is credited with revolutionizing the Studio Glass movement by elevating the medium of glass from craft to fine art and has trained a multitude of artists in Fort Wayne Museum of Art’s collection of glass sculpture. Chihuly chandeliers are the crown of a glass collection.

This signature installation was led by a specialized team of glass installers who meticulously assembled 1,000 pounds of individually blown glass elements to become one dazzling chandelier which is hanging adjacent to the museum’s Sculpture Court and Studio Glass Wing. 

FWMoA acquired the chandelier from an Indiana collector outside of Fort Wayne who purchased it from a Columbus, Ohio, gallery. 

The last time FWMoA installed a Chihuly chandelier was in 2016, when they unveiled Chihuly’s Lily Gold Chandelier.

Lunch of the Square raises $3,700

The 16th season of Lunch on the Square has come to a close, and a check for $3,700 has been presented to Blessings in a Backpack, the recipient of this year’s Lunch Means More campaign. 

The funds came from weekly sales donated by food truck vendors as well as matching funds from Barnes & Thornburg. 

“This generous community effort will cover the cost of feeding nearly 1,200 children who might otherwise go hungry this weekend,” said Tamara Cummins, Events & Programs Manager for Downtown Fort Wayne.

The local nonprofit Blessings in a Backpark was founded in 2007 by Mike and Gretchen Gouloff. The organization has grown from feeding 300 students every weekend to feeding 3,000. 

To learn more, go to blessingsindiana.org.

Humane Fort Wayne ready for move

After holding their grand opening and open houses, Humane Fort Wayne, 901 Leesburg Road, will begin moving adoptable pets to the state-of-the-art facility by early September.

Animals will remain at the Hanna Street facility until Aug. 25, when they will move to Leesburg Road and be ready for adoption Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Humane Fort Wayne is moving into the new facility in phases to ensure a smooth transition for animals and staff. 

Among the features at the new facility will be increased capacity for animals, with twice as many dog kennels and three times as many cat kennels, a community education area, and improved indoor and outdoor spaces.

Science Central set for annual shutdown

If you were looking to teach your little one a bit about science at Science Central, you’re going to have to wait a few days.

As they do each year, Science Central will close their doors for a deep cleaning and maintenance and to work on large-scale projects.

The Clinton Street attraction will reopen Saturday, Aug. 31.

News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.