Visiting Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township each year is a tradition for me and I always leave feeling inspired. If you’ve experienced a creative block recently, allow the amazing artwork to get your brain gears turning this winter. Did you know connecting with nature and spending time outdoors is also a step towards improving mental health?
Opened in 1992, Grounds For Sculpture has become a staple museum and art park in New Jersey. Its outdoor area is home to nearly 300 sculptures spanning over 42 acres of land, and the museum has a diverse taste in art varying from abstract to contemporary.
Horace Farlowe, Portal Rest, 1999, white Danby marble, 12 ft x 15 ft x 20 ft, Unique, Ground s For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier. © Artist Photo: David W. Steele
Grounds For Sculpture normally keeps its doors closed during January and February. However, due to their closure in the summer of 2020, they have decided against this decision. This winter 2021, there are sculptures to see, classes to attend, and art supplies to take home.
What to Know Before You Go
Indoor exhibitions at Grounds For Sculpture are still closed until further notice, but the outdoor garden is open to the public. However, there is a limited capacity that allows for social distancing and guests must wear a mask at all times. In addition to their efforts of keeping guests safe, Grounds For Sculpture has gone paperless and reservations must be made online ahead of time.
Admission prices have been lowered to $10. It takes roughly three hours to circle the grounds completely, however, you won’t be rushed. The good news is that you can stay until closing, so you can take your time.
What’s Going on This Winter
Robert Ressler, Baruch Ashem, 1989,wood;copper; concrete base, diameter: 32 ft; height:
14 ft, Unique, Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier, Original Gift of Leonard Dobbs.©Artist. Photo: Matt Yao
Workshops
Self-guided visits aren’t for everyone but don’t worry, there are still options to explore. This winter, Grounds For Sculpture is hosting programs to help you destress during these troubling times. Some can even be attended from the comfort of your home. These programs range from digital workshops to onsite classes with a variety of topics to delve into, such as photography and cooking.
Wellness Programs
Guided meditations in the garden strive to help you relax and find your center. Katie O’Brien, the wellness coach at Grounds For Sculpture, encourages you to bring your loved ones to her Family Meditation workshop. O’Brien teaches self-empowerment, self-love, and happiness.
As spring inches closer, Janis Napoli, a horticulturist, will teach plant lovers how to take care of their gardens in her class, Winter Gardening on Poppied Hill. She helps eager gardeners prepare for the change in weather. This class is a perfect way to ground yourself and connect with nature. There is no experience necessary to attend and it’s open to all ages.
Seward Johnson, On Poppied Hill , 1999, bronze, aluminum, 99 in x 84 in x 60 in, 1/8, Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier. © 1999, The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc
Online Classes at Grounds For Sculpture
If you’re still unsure about visiting the grounds, there are plenty of workshops to attend via Zoom that creates the same sense of community. If you’re looking for new methods to help with relaxing, join herbalist Amanda Midkiff in her Introduction to Herbalism class to learn about ancient medicine and the plant world. Or, catch a cooking class with healthy lifestyle consultant and culinary writer Kendra Thatcher.
ArtBoxes
For children between the ages of five and 12, Grounds For Sculpture offers ArtBoxes, which are creative activities that include textile and terrarium projects. These boxes can be purchased at the front door of the visitor center and can be completed onsite or at home. Children are not immune to the negative effects of an inactive life, so these activities will keep their minds active and healthy.
So far, classes are expected to run through March. However, more openings are anticipated to pop up as we journey on through 2021.
Have you visited Grounds For Sculpture? Let us know in the comments below.
About the Author/s
Student at Rutgers, writer, and avid astrology fan.
