ROUND ROCK, Texas — A world-renowned artist’s newest work is now hanging in downtown Round Rock.
On Wednesday, the City of Round Rock will unveil the Ruby Sunstone Pineapple Chandelier. It is the first Chihuly installation available for public view anywhere in the Austin metropolitan area. The permanent sculpture by acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly will hang inside the Round Rock City Arts Center.
While the sculpture carries a $360,000 price tag, city officials say it was not paid for with property or sales tax dollars. Instead, the project was funded entirely through Round Rock’s Hotel Occupancy Tax, which is generated by people staying in local hotels. Under Texas law, those tax dollars must be used for projects that promote tourism and attract visitors.
The chandelier, designed specifically for the City Arts Center, stands 9 feet tall, weighs 460 pounds, and is made up of more than 200 individually hand-blown glass pieces. It took a specialized crew from the Chihuly Studio four days to install the artwork.
“The red color is actually inspired by the City of Round Rock logo and its red color,” said Christina Rudofsky, Arts Manager for the City of Round Rock.
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City leaders say the investment is designed to make the City Arts Center, which opened in January, a destination for both residents and tourists.
“I expect we’re going to have a lot more visitors to the gallery,” Rudofsky said. “Chihuly’s name and his art is such a draw, so we expect we’re going to have our residents coming in, also visitors to Round Rock, but I also think people will be making purposeful trips to Round Rock from other far-flung areas.”
The city is pairing the permanent installation with rotating exhibitions, free admission and events like the new Round Rock Summer Arts Fest in hopes of drawing more people to downtown.
“Getting to invite people to come to a smaller city, a mid-size city, to see art is an important endeavor,” Rudofsky said.
The Ruby Sunstone Pineapple Chandelier is the centerpiece of the gallery. For its public debut, seven additional original Chihuly works are on loan from Chihuly Studio and will be on display alongside an exhibition by Round Rock artist Ziesook You.
According to the city, this is the first Dale Chihuly installation open to the public anywhere in the Austin metropolitan area. Chihuly’s work is also featured in museums and public spaces in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, as well as cities around the world.
The Round Rock City Arts Center, located at 216 E. Main Street, opened in January 2026 and is free to the public. The special Chihuly exhibition opens July 15 and runs through October, while the chandelier will remain a permanent feature of the gallery.