The Chihuligans were a big hit. A group of about 15 Tacoma artists donned eye patches, curley wigs and black T-shirts with the word "Chihuligans" silk screened on the front. They met at Rampart gallery and walked down to ride the rail to the plaza for the Chihuly In Tacoma festival. First they walked around talking to people outside. They were asking people if they'd like to have thier picture taken with Chihuly for just $5. Which of course, they had no way to make happen unless people just wanted to have their picture taken with a Chihuligan. Then they entered the glass museum without paying by just ignoring the door person. They somehow got away with it. They went into the gift shop and must have made a quite an impression because they were stopped by a PR person for the event and asked to come in and make a special appearance from the balcony overlooking the hot shop where Chihuly and his crew were working in front of a live audience. So they agreed and did the walk through and waved to
Chuhuly and all of the people. Just after they left the building they were stopped again by another employee who ran out after them. He said Dale wanted to meet them and have a picture taken. Dale's no dummy. He knows a good PR opportunity when he sees one. So they were escorted back inside again. This time they had to each sign a release form for the use of their picture. Then they were taken down on to the hotshop floor where they posed with Dale for a picture. â€" Angela Jossy