When Dale Chihuly arrived in Murano as a Fulbright Fellow in 1968, he was the first American glassblower to apprentice with the renowned but notably private masters. During his final year of graduate studies at Rhode Island School of Design, Chihuly had written to numerous glass factories but only one glass house responded (the Venetians carefully guarded their techniques so to have any invitation extended was an accomplishment). Founded in 1921 by Paolo Venini and Giacomo Cappellin, Venini Glass Factory was from its inception a house that both honored and challenged the area’s heritage, advanced a high standard of excellence, and embraced the avant-garde.
