Leslie Jackson Chihuly (born May 1, 1961) is an American arts executive and philanthropist. She is the president and chief executive officer of Chihuly, Inc., which includes Chihuly Studio and Chihuly Workshop,Davis, Melissa (March 5, 2015). Leslie Chihuly gives $2.5M gift to Seattle Symphony. The Seattle Times: 2015 both of which feature the artistic work and vision of her husband, Dale Chihuly. In 2018, she was elected as chair emerita of the Seattle Symphony Board after serving nine years as board chair and implementing a number of revitalizing changes.Leslie Jackson Chihuly’s remarkable tenure as Seattle Symphony Board Chair. Seattle Symphony. (August 24, 2018). Retrieved Sept. 10, 2018. Those included filling the roles of CEO and music director with fresh talent, and taking the organization from financial challenge and organizational strife in 2009 to the stage of Carnegie Hall in 2014. Under her leadership, the symphony won three Grammy Awards and the Gramophone “Orchestra of the Year Award” in 2018.Seattle Symphony Wins Orchestra of the Year!. Seattle Symphony. (Sept. 13, 2018). Retrieved October 19, 2018. Leslie Chihuly serves on the boards of the Seattle Symphony, Vassar CollegeBoard of Trustees - Vassar College. Vassar College. Retrieved Sept. 10, 2018. and the Pilchuck Glass School.Pilchuck Glass School: Board of Trustees Pilchuck Glass School. Retrieved Sept. 10, 2018. In 2022, President Joe Biden announced his intention to appoint Jackson Chihuly to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
Early life and education Jackson Chihuly was born in 1961 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Royal C. Jackson, a mechanical engineer, and Jo Morgan Jackson, an educator and volunteer, and has a younger sister and two older brothers. Royal C. Jackson died in 1993.Death Records for Royal Jackson Retrieved Nov. 1, 2018. Jo Morgan Jackson died in 2003.Jo Morgan Jackson – Oklahoma Obituaries Retrieved Nov. 1, 2018. Jackson Chihuly grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and Guymon, Oklahoma.
She started studying flute and piano at age 5 and continues to play both today. She attended numerous music and writing camps as a child, including a poetry camp in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, led by Poet Laureate Donald Hall in the 1970s. In 1979, Jackson Chihuly enrolled at Vassar College. She spent her junior year – 1981-82 – abroad at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. She graduated from Vassar with a BA degree in English in 1983.
During her 20s – in the 1980s and early 1990s – Jackson Chihuly travelled throughout Europe, India, Thailand and China. She served as a production assistant on the PBS film “Democracy in Action,” a humorous take on American elections that featured Frank ZappaFZ Videography: 1985-93. Retrieved Sept. 18, 2018. and Timothy Leary and aired in the United States and in Russia in 1992.
Jackson Chihuly enrolled at the University of Washington's Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, graduating in 1993 with an MA in international studies. During her time there, she lived in Moscow, Russia, and interned at Moscow State University.
Career Jackson Chihuly worked for the Goodwill Arts Festival as part of the 1990 Goodwill Games. The New York Times called the festival “more significant for opening artistic frontiers than reducing world tensions.”Egan, Timothy. (July 7, 1990). Seattle Gives Cheers To the Arts of Russia In Goodwill Festival The New York Times. Retrieved Sept. 18, 2018. She joined Chihuly, Inc., in 1994, became president on December 3, 2008, and was named president and CEO on January 20, 2015. In her role as president and CEO, Jackson Chihuly ensures ongoing organizational strength to support Dale Chihuly in realizing his vision, encompassing all aspects of his art, from large-scale commissions to museum exhibitions, and individual artworks to editions.Leslie Jackson Chihuly Shares Management Advice with Students at UW Foster School of Business Chihuly Blog. (June 27, 2018). Retrieved Sept. 10, 2018. Jackson Chihuly served as executive producer of Pilchuck: A Dance with Fire,Pilchuck: A Dance With Fire Wins Emmy Award Pilchuck Glass School. (June 27, 2016). Retrieved November 1, 2018. the 2015 documentary on the history of the Pilchuck Glass School. The film won a 2016 Northwest Chapter Emmy Award for Best Documentary.
During her 15 years on the Seattle Symphony Board, nine years as its chair, Jackson Chihuly led the organization through a period of significant change, including the hiring of Music Director Ludovic Morlot and President and CEO Simon Woods. She created innovative fundraising events, such as a concert featuring Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Russell Wilson and Ciara.Seattle Symphony, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Ciara and Russell Wilson Raise Nearly $1.4 Million For Youth, Equity and Access Seattle Symphony. May 11, 2018. Retrieved Sept. 10, 2018.
In 2018, Jackson Chihuly spoke at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business as part of its Leaders to Legends series about numerous aspects of leadership, and the importance of sustaining the energy and enthusiasm necessary to inspire others.
Philanthropy Together, Jackson Chihuly and her husband founded the Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation in 2009 to fund public education regarding all forms of art, and to provide support to artists and arts organizations.Our featured supporters – The Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation Artist Trust. Retrieved November 7, 2018. The Chihulys are involved with numerous nonprofit and philanthropic organizations both locally and nationally, with a focus on health, education, music and the arts. Their foundation's beneficiaries include Artist Trust,(September 27, 2018). Apply for the 2019 Arts Innovator Award Artist Trust. Retrieved November 7, 2018. Hilltop Artists,Ponnekanti, Rosemary (September 5, 2014). Dale Chihuly helps Hilltop Artists celebrate its 20th year The News Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2018. Path with Art,Our Funders Path with Art. Retrieved December 3, 2018. the Hotshop Heroes program at the Museum of GlassHanus, Julie K. (January 13, 2015). Healing in the Hotshop Craft Council. Retrieved December 3, 2018. and an artist lecture series at the University of Washington.(November 28, 2017). Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice Lecture Series UW School of Art + Art History + Design. Retrieved December 3, 2018. In addition, the Chihulys have provided support to JDRF,(March 3, 2018). The JDRF Seattle Guild 29th Annual Dream Gala Issuu. Page 62. Retrieved December 3, 2018. Seattle International Film Festival,Seattle International Film Festival Sponsors Seattle International Film Festival. Retrieved December 3, 2018. Mary's Place,Corporate and Foundation Donors Mary's Place. Retrieved December 3, 2018. Seattle Arts and Lectures,Seattle Arts & Lectures – Words Matter 2018 Benefit Gala & Literary Auction Sponsors Seattle Arts & Lectures. Retrieved December 3, 2018. Seattle Art Museum,Corporate Partners Seattle Art Museum. Retrieved December 3, 2018. Tacoma Art Museum,Studio Art Class Collections Tacoma Art Museum. Retrieved November 16, 2018. and KEXP-FM.Breaking New Ground Together KEXP's New Home Wrap Report KEXP. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
Jackson Chihuly made a $2.5 million gift to the Seattle Symphony to create the Leslie Jackson Chihuly Chair in 2015, endowing the Symphony's executive leadership position in perpetuity.(March 5, 2015). Leslie Jackson Chihuly Names President & CEO Position with $2.5M Gift to Seattle Symphony Retrieved November 20, 2018. In 2017, the Chihulys donated five large artworks – valued at $3.4 million at the time – in Tacoma Union Station to the people of the United StatesPonnekanti, Rosemary (January 25, 2017).Chihuly donates glass art at Tacoma’s Union Station to the United States Retrieved November 20, 2018. via the U.S. General Services Administration.Chihuly gifts GSA iconic Tacoma Union Station art U.S. General Services Administration. Retrieved November 20, 2018. In 2017, Dale and Leslie Chihuly discussed Dale's struggle with bipolar disorder publicly together for the first time.Johnson, Gene (June 2, 2017). At 75, Dale Chihuly discusses struggles with mental health AP News. Retrieved November 20, 2018. Since then, Jackson Chihuly has stepped up her work to destigmatize mental illness. Among her efforts is participation in the national “Deconstructing Stigma” campaign through McLean Hospital.Deconstructing Stigma McLean Hospital. Retrieved December 3, 2018. The project, which opened in December 2016, includes a photo exhibition and a collection of stories from mental ill people.
Honors In 2022, President Joe Biden announced his intention to appoint Jackson Chihuly to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts, which provides guidance on programming at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. In 2018 the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, College of Fine Art honored Jackson Chihuly for Extraordinary Achievements in the Arts.Hall of Fame | College of Fine Arts | University of Nevada, Las Vegas Retrieved Oct. 21, 2018. In 2017 the Women's University Club of Seattle Foundation honored Jackson Chihuly with a “Brava! Award” for her service to others and her advocacy for the arts. In 2015, she was given the “Women of Valor Award” by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, honoring women who inspire and build up the community.Alumna Joanne Harrell Named ‘Woman of Valor’ By Senator Cantwell University of Washington Department of Communication. Dec. 2, 2015. Retrieved Sept. 10, 2018. In 2011 Jackson Chihuly was named as a “Women of Influence” by the Puget Sound Business Journal.Profiles of the 2011 Women of Influence Puget Sound Business Journal. Nov. 18, 2011. Retrieved Sept. 10, 2018.
Personal life Jackson Chihuly and her husband, Dale Chihuly, married in 2005.Payne, Patti (Feb 23, 2005). . The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 29, 2008. They have one son.
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