Myrna and Sheldon Palley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts

Myrna and Sheldon Palley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts. Photo Credit: Lowe Museum of Art

The Lowe Museum of Art is home to some of the world’s most unique contemporary art exhibits, including a pavilion dedicated to artworks made of glass.

Located within the University of Miami, the Myrna and Sheldon Palley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts has a collection that rivals international museums. The pavilion, a 4,000 square feet gallery designed by architect Ronald Mateau, exclusively houses a collection of 100 glass, ceramics and fiber art that’s worth $3.5 million.

The Myrna and Sheldon Palley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts re-opened this year with a February 6 kick-off celebration honoring the Year in Glass that included an installation of Dale Chihuly’s Mosaic Persian in the Lowe’s foyer. The re-opening also featured a lecture from artist Therman Statom.

Chihuly’s Mosaic Persian is made up of 32 glass elements. It was gifted to the museum by husband-and-wife art collectors Dale and Doug Anderson, who originally commissioned the work. The artwork was reworked by Chihuly Studios to fit seamlessly into the Lowe Museum.

Myrna and Sheldon Palley, the pavilion’s namesakes, have been collecting glass art since the 1970s. They donated their entire collection, which includes over 200 works by 75 different artists, along with many others from Miami’s philanthropy community.

Dale Chihuly, Mosaic Persian

Mosaic Persian by artist, Dale Chihuly. Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Lowe Museum of Art

“It’s one of the country’s finest [exhibits],” says the pavilion’s curator, Linda Boone of Habatat Galleries.

The pavilion also features work by international and local artists such as Dale Chihuly, Richard Jolley, William CarlsonHoward Ben Tré, José Chardiet, Dan Dailey, Michael Glancy, Laura Donefer, Harvey Littleton, Steven Weinberg, Stanislav Libenský, Lino Tagliapietra, Howard Ben Tre, Tom Patti, Jose Chardiet, and Mary Van Cline.

In honor of the Palley Pavilion’s 10th anniversary, the Lowe Art Museum will commemorate the Year of Glass through new exhibitions and programs such as:

  • ArtLab at the Lowe Museum’s glass exhibition in April 19 through March 31, 2019
  • A biannual glass artist lecture series starring Clifford Rainey in the Fall 
  • New work from Venetian master glass artist Giampaolo Seguso in October 18 from March 27, 2019
  • Highlights from the collection of Robert and Florence Werner scheduled for October 18 through March 27, 2019

But there’s more. Guests can also partake in other glass-related programming throughout the year such as tours, community days, teacher workshops, themed activities during the Lowe After Hours social events, and other educational and engagement events.

Paul Seide, Spiral Neon

Spiral Neon by Paul Seide. Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Lowe Museum of Art

For more information: The Lowe Art Museum is located at 1301 Stanford Drive in Miami.