They’re not really flowers, but simulacra — impressions of flowers fashioned in glass by the artisans in Dale Chihuly‘s studio.

“Chihuly: Secret Garden” opens today (June 29, 2013) at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 East Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana (map).

It’s one of two connected exhibitions showcasing his glass artwork.

In “Secret Garden”, Chihuly interweaves his glass with rocks, plants, theatrical elements and colors to engage visitors in a new way. This exhibit, in collaboration with the Franklin Park Conservatory, exemplifies that concept by showcasing several of Chihuly’s best known series such as Macchia, Fiori and Niijima Floats.

The second exhibition, “The Chihuly Effect: Pushing the Boundaries of Studio Glass”, showcases artists and artwork inspired by Chihuly’s work. This exhibit is produced in collaboration with Habatat Galleries.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. They’re also open until 8 p.m. Thursday evenings. The exhibitions run all summer, closing September 29, 2013.

For more information on visiting this northeast Indiana city, go online.

(Photo courtesy of Visit Fort Wayne)