From musicians to painters to sculptors, the Hudson Valley and surrounding regions have for centuries housed artists from all corners of the globe, providing inspiration with its combination of verdant, landscapes and artist communities providing audiences and benefactors.
As if by some great intervention, the merging of these fundamentals of creation coalesce in one grand natural stage — the sculpture garden. Varied sculpture centers share the commonality of our natural surroundings — always changing, always evolving, always nurturing our understanding of how we interact with the creative process. These settings integrate the human spirit with the wonders of nature.
Each of my four favorite sculpture parks in different corners of the Hudson Valley (and ever so slightly beyond) can be reached easily for a day trip.
From the end of May to the middle of October, The Mount, the historic home of author Edith Wharton in Lenox, Massachusetts, hosts an exhibition of sculptures from a variety of distinctive artists in its picturesque woods and gardens.
In addition to a number of paid tours of the house and gardens, the grounds, rich with beauty, are free to the public. It’s remarkably easy to find inspiration in the lush surrounding landscape or to simply relax and refresh your mind before hurtling yourself back into the stresses of modern life.
The rolling hills of the 120-acre Art Omi off Route 22 in Ghent are host to about 60 sculptures and outdoor art pieces from artists with many different styles, The setting encourages interaction. Art Omi provides an entertaining and engaging afternoon out for both kids and adults. Due to the ever-changing roster of artists and works, no two trips to Art Omi are ever the same, especially against the backdrop of the changing seasons.
Art Omi remains free and open to the public all year long.
Storm King Art Center in New Windsor is correctly described as an outdoor museum, boasting 500 acres of forest and greenery in which to display the finest in large-scale modern and contemporary art. Due to the vast size of the grounds, visitors may want to take advantage of the shuttle buses which wind their way along the center’s many paths and trails.
The expansive grounds offer a wealth of places to explore. You can visit the tried and true staples or check out special exhibitions. Many of Storm King’s pieces work in tandem with the area’s landscape and wilderness, creating striking and singular effects.
Tickets are available to purchase both online and upon arrival. The first Fridays of June, July and August feature free admission to the public for those wishing to take advantage of it.
One-artist settings have always allowed the creation of some of the most intriguing sculpture gardens. Just along the Taconic Parkway in Chatham, sculptures dot the acres of the yard of sculptor Roy Kanwit at Taconic Sculpture Park & Gallery. His pieces, many largely inspired by mythologies and folklores, many from Greek, Roman and Egyptian sources, give the land the atmosphere of a storybook come to life.
Many of these one-artist environments — like David Smith’s hillside of metal sculptures at Bolton Landing and Raoul Hague’s works of local wood at the Maverick colony in West Hurley – alas do not survive beyond the lives of their creators and later exist solely in photographs.
Perhaps the most iconic of Kanwit’s pieces is the head of Mother Earth, also known as the mythological Greek goddess Gaea, rising from the hilltop to survey her domain.
Visitors are able to climb a set of stairs within the hollowed out head and further appreciate the landscape from her unique vantage point. Open seasonally and free to the public, the park provides an exceptional portfolio of Kanwits’s work.
It is not only the well-known and well-weathered parks and gardens of our region that contribute to its splendor and artistic presence. Woodstock Spa, in collaboration with the artists’ collective of Byrdcliffe Guild, recently opened S.C.A.P.E., a biennial outdoor sculpture exhibition. The exhibition in the pasture of 62 Ricks Road in Woodstock from June 13 to October 19 seeks to immerse its audience within the tranquility of nature and to provoke reflection and creative, transformative thought. Although smaller in scope than the other more permanent sculpture parks it is a wonderful part of any day trip to Woodstock.
In addition to its displays of art and nature, many of these sculpture parks and gardens also function as venues for events, such as historical tours, live music and readings, childhood and adult education, and more.
With the arrival of warmer weather and, summer vacation, more opportunities become available. Happy exploring, and don’t forget to bring sunscreen!
Join the family! 
