Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly is one of the most influential contemporary glass artists alive, and he has created numerous significant site-specific installations in sites ranging from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. After enrolling in the nation’s first glass program at the University of Wisconsin, Chihuly then established the glass program at the Rhode Island School of Design. Through Pilchuck Glass School, which he co-founded, he has led in the development of glassblowing as a studio art and has been instrumental in creating a broader contemporary interest in glass as an expressive medium. Teamwork has become an essential element for Chihuly: After a 1976 car accident compromised his depth perception, he has used studio assistants through careful oversight and direction to execute his work. His glassworks and drawings are represented in more than 125 museums worldwide, as well as in numerous private collections. Chihuly has received many honors, including the Washington state Medal of Merit and honorary doctorates from almost a dozen prestigious institutions. Chihuly maintains a studio in Seattle. He received the American Craft Council’s Gold Medal in 2006.