READING, Pa. – The Reading Public Museum is asking for help to fund a project that turns something old and forgotten into a new work of art.
Back in 2004, the museum displayed an exhibition by American glass artist Dale Chihuly. The piece “Fountain Spray” was a part of that collection.
“The glass that was originally made for our fountain here, which was long ago demolished, has been sitting in boxes,” said Geoffrey Fleming, CEO of the Reading Public Museum.
Fleming says he’d been trying to solve what they call the “Chihuly problem” for years. But finally, after talks with the Chihuly studios…
“They came up with an idea of designing a new chandelier for the lobby of the museum,” Fleming said.
The new chandelier would be the centerpiece of the museum’s atrium, greeting visitors as they walk inside.
“It’s a way for the glass to be celebrated again, especially when you walk in the front door of the museum,” Fleming said.
However, the museum says it needs the community’s help to get this project started.
“We had a bunch of donors that have come up with $200,000 towards the project, and we need to raise the rest,” Fleming said.
So, the Reading Public Museum created a GoFundMe. It’s now just $48,000 away from bringing a one-of-a-kind art installation to life.
“Our whole goal is serving the public,” Fleming said. “We want to get it out there, we want people to enjoy it, to be inspired by it when they walk in the museum.”
Fleming says with even a small donation, now you, too, can help solve the Chihuly problem.
“…And let the people of the region enjoy it,” he said.