KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Inside the glass empire

How Dale Chihuly created a multimillion-dollar market for glass as fine art, built a mass-production company to sustain it — and set out to neutralize his competition.

• What do you get when you buy a Chihuly?
• Fax to a glassblower: "Here's a little sketch but make whatever you want."

KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES Council House resident Helen Cappellani, 88, makes a clay vase during a class offered by Seniors Making Art.

Chihuly benefits from his own philanthropy

He founded a charity to bring free art classes to senior citizens, but it also puts money into his pocket and brings a new flow of customers.

• Taking a closer look at the artist's affiliation with charities
• KCTS discusses its relationship with Chihuly

KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES Glassblower Bryan Rubino was sued last year for copyright infringement.

Chihuly turns up heat on competing artists

He's been guarding his artistic style for years, warning others not to copy shapes and techniques he claims as his. But some say he's gone too far with a copyright lawsuit.

• "Billy" O'Neill: Dale Chihuly's right-hand man
• Arkansas artist responds to Chihuly complaint that he's making "replicas"
• Six-page confidentiality agreement required of Chihuly employees