COLUMBUS, OHIO.- The works of artist Dale Chihuly that drew a record 330,000 visitors to Franklin Park Conservatory over the last year have been purchased by the Friends of the Franklin Park Conservatory, a private, nonprofit group that supports the Conservatory's programming.

"These magnificent glass pieces now have a permanent home in Columbus," said Cathy M. Lyttle, president of the Friends. "The Conservatory is the only public botanical garden in the world to permanently house a signature collection of Dale Chihuly's work. We are grateful to the people and organizations that have provided our community with such an enduring treasure that can be embraced by everyone."

The collection is valued at nearly $7 million. Contributions to the purchase were made by Battelle; The Columbus Foundation; The William H. Davis, Dorothy M. Davis and William C. Davis Foundation; Robert B. Hurst and James W. Overstreet Funds of The Columbus Foundation; Limited Brands Foundation; the Nationwide Foundation; The OK Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Wexner; Robert F. Wolfe & Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation; and Worthington Industries.

Conservatory Director Paul Redman said, "This stunning contribution to the Conservatory makes us an important permanent home for one of our era's most daring and beloved artists. From now on Columbus and the Conservatory will be a mecca for admirers of Chihuly's work."

Redman said some pieces of the collection will remain on permanent display, but that most of the artworks will be stored and remounted for special shows every few years. "The full collection will next be seen in 2009," Redman said, "following several exciting exhibitions we have scheduled each year until then."

Douglas F. Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation, said, "The Conservatory has laid out an impressive vision for the botanical gardens and for its future role in our community.

"The families and organizations in central Ohio who are making it possible for the Friends of the Conservatory to purchase these magnificent objects celebrate the importance of that vision," he added. "The effect of this tremendous public-private partnership is that the Conservatory has just grown even more significant with this impressive, popular and now permanent cultural asset for our community."

The collection includes a stunning array of installation artworks from most of Chihuly's best-loved series, including Chandeliers, Macchia, Ikebana, Venetians, Fiori, Persians and Towers. Nearly the entire exhibition, displayed among the Conservatory's extensive plant collection until July 4, 2004, was acquired. During that time, attendance increased by 182 percent.

"We were particularly delighted at the extent of non-traditional visitors we had," said Lyttle. "Dale Chihuly is truly a people's artist. The exhibition attracted people from all walks of life who found his luminous sculptures among the Conservatory's plant collections absolutely breathtaking. Under the leadership of Paul Redman, we want to make a tradition of that kind of broad appeal."

Chihuly, who attended the announcement, said, "I am thrilled that the Chihuly at the Conservatory exhibition was such a great success and am honored that my artwork, thanks to the Friends of the Conservatory, will now have a permanent presence in the great city of Columbus."

In addition to the collection, the Conservatory will establish a library of educational materials about the artist and his work. The Conservatory and Chihuly Studio will also develop educational programs for students, families and admirers of all ages to foster a greater understanding of the artist.