"Chihuly at Phipps: Gardens & Glass," the fanciful installation of glass art by Washington state artist Dale Chihuly that courses through the rooms of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, has been extended 3 1/2 months.

The conservatory anticipated a decrease in attendance when summer ended, but the opposite has occurred. That, coupled with visitors saying they'd like to bring out-of-town family and friends to see the show over the holidays, prompted the decision to continue it through Feb. 24 from the originally scheduled Nov. 11 closing.

More than 220,000 visited Phipps between the exhibit's opening day, May 10, and the end of October, a nearly 200 percent increase from just under 75,000 in the same year-ago period.

Moreover, membership has grown by 50 percent since the show opened, and about 30 percent of the visitors -- more than 66,000 people -- came from outside the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. All 50 states have been represented, as well as the District of Columbia and 42 countries. After Pennsylvania, the most U.S. visitors came from Ohio, New York and California. The top three foreign countries were Canada, Germany and France.

The 154,000 Pittsburgh-area visitors represent more than 6 percent of the region's seven-county population of 2.4 million. That share tops Atlanta, one of seven sites for which Chihuly has created a conservatory exhibit. It drew less than 4 percent of its 4.1 million residents in 2004.

Attendance has been most significant for Chihuly Nights, and Phipps has added hours and evenings to accommodate that interest.

"Chihuly at Phipps" is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Saturdays. General admission is $12.50. For seniors (62 and over) and students, it's $11.50; and for children ages 2 to 18, it's $7.50. Children under 2 and members are free.

Special Chihuly Nights are held from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and require separate admission, $7.50 for members and $15 for all others (all ages).

Timed ticketing, on the half-hour, will remain in effect during the exhibition extension, and advance purchases are recommended.

For information or tickets visit www.phipps.conservatory.org or call 1-888-336-4060.

After Chihuly, the Spring Flower Show will return March 15 with traditional plantings and garden containers.