Summer 2022: Outdoor Art Destination Edition
Every summer, there are countless outdoor activities to enjoy; pool time, cookouts, hikes and more. For the fifth straight year, we’re happy to share some additional ideas for your summer bucket list. These ideas all have an art side to them with a touch of adventure. They may be close to your home or serve as a walking or driving destination, and you can go with family, friends, or solo. ENJOY.
Untermeyer Gardens Conservancy, Yonkers, NY: This historical botanical haven is 20 miles from Manhattan, does not take reservations, and has several intriguing elements to explore. These include The Walled Garden, The Vista, The Color Garden and more. They offer a wide breadth of programming like concerts, drawing-in-the-garden for kids, sunset yoga and so much more.
Black Atlantic in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY: Contemporary artist Hugh Hayden is both contributing to and curating this major public exhibition along the Brooklyn Bridge waterfront, on view through November 2022. The show highlights the complex hybrid identities that have developed through the exchange of culture and ideas over centuries along transatlantic networks linking Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe. All pieces, one dramatically different from the next and include an elevated and seemingly upholstered settee, a large-scale ruin-like stone sculpture, and wooden row boat embedded in the waterfront rocks.
Grounds for Sculpture: Hamilton, NJ: A museum, sculpture garden and arboretum framed by nature on 42 acres. As noted by the founder, here “ …the public is invited to relate to sculptural arts and nature in an emotional way … for an experience that elevates the soul and heals the spirit.” The destination has a number of exhibitions year-round, as well as dining options, lodging, and has achieved recognition for its continued emphasis on sustainability.
ICA Summer Sessions: Boston, MA: For those living in the Bay State you can inject a little more entertainment into your Friday nights. In July and August, the ICA will be hosting a weekly series of art and live music. Enjoy waterfront views and contemporary art, all in conjunction with critically acclaimed musicians and your favorite cocktails.
TORONTO + MONTREAL
Toronto’s Outdoor Art Fair is back in the heart of downtown. This is Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor art fair and it is a great opportunity to check out emerging artists, meet them in person and kick off art collecting. They have also expanded their Online program, so even if you aren’t local, check out the works of new talented artists here
The opposite of busy downtown Toronto is an escape to Prince Edward County. Check out Oeno Gallery’s Sculpture Garden. Each year they showcase the works of Canadian and international artists displaying large, outdoor sculptures on their gorgeous property. It helps that there is a winery there too! Here are a few favourites:
This is not technically an outdoor exhibit, but Montreal’s Papier Art Fair is running in August (usually November), and the fact that it is held in the Old Port in Montreal makes it a summer activity in my books. Perhaps this will be the unofficial start of the Fall season (not ready to talk about Fall yet though…). This is a great fair that our team is planning to attend. Check it out if you are in the Montreal area, or watch for Fair highlights!
Midwest
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan - The 30 acre sculpture park is home to nearly 300 works, including those by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, and Louise Nevelson. A must see for garden lovers AND art lovers!
Walker Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis, Minnesota - Joyful sculpture garden in the heart of downtown. See the iconic Spoon and Cherry, plus a gorgeous new work by Angela Two Stars entitled Okciyapi (Help Each Other). Head to the Walker Rooftop for a round of Skyline mini golf.