ST. LOUIS - In welcome news for both art lovers and tourism officials, world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly will create a temporary exhibit for the Missouri Botanical Garden next year.

It could be a boon for the city.

His fanciful, often brightly colored sculptures are credited with bringing 360,000 visitors to the Atlanta Botanical Garden during a show there last year. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the region gained $50 million to $60 million in tourism as a result.

The 79-acre Missouri garden, a national historic landmark, began working about two years ago to bring in a Chihuly show. "Glass in the Garden" will run from April 30 to Oct. 31 next year. Glass sculptures will be created for the show, which will be set inside the garden’s rain forest habitat, called the Climatron, and outside on the grounds. There are plans to light the sculptures and open the garden on Thursday nights.

"We’re projecting a 20 percent increase in visitors," garden Director Peter Raven said.

The botanical garden draws about 700,000 visitors annually, he said.

Chihuly is now showing at Kew Gardens in London, where the work has had an enthusiastic reception.

And if the response in Atlanta is any indication, St. Louis can expect to draw quite a few additional tourists. The six-month show there was extended to eight months, and garden membership rose from 12,000 to 18,000 members.

"It was the cultural event of the year," said Sabina Carr, a spokeswoman for the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

One in three visitors came from more than 50 miles away, and many in-town attendees were known to return multiple times.

"Don’t underestimate the power of his work. It’s so beautiful outside married with nature," Carr said.

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