Grounds for Sculpture

If you have ever taken the train from Hamilton Station in New Jersey, you’ve had the pleasure of the larger than life sculptures that are on display nearby and along the entrance way.

Are you aware that these are a part of a much larger collection on display just a short distance away.  Grounds for Sculpture, located in Hamilton Township, New Jersey is so close and I didn’t know it existed until about two years ago.  I finally visited today and what a treat.

What is Grounds For Sculpture? (Source:  http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/About/History)

In 1984, J. Seward Johnson, sculptor and philanthropist, envisioned a public sculpture garden and museum in Hamilton, NJ. His desire was to make contemporary sculpture accessible and offer people from all backgrounds the opportunity to become comfortable with contemporary art. Grounds For Sculpture was conceived as a place where audiences could experience sculpture in a familiar, accessible, and informal setting.

Construction on the sculpture park began in 1989 on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds; Grounds For Sculpture opened to the general public in 1992. Since its inception, the park is now exhibiting over 270 works, including sculptures by renowned artists Clement Meadmore, Anthony Caro, Beverly Pepper, Kiki Smith, and New Jersey sculptor George Segal. Some of the works were commissioned specifically for the sculpture park, such as Magdalena Abakanowicz’s Space of Stone and New Jersey artist Isaac Witkin’s Garden State. Work on the park and sculpture acquisitions were financed by public tax-exempt bonds and private foundations associated with founder J. Seward Johnson.

Since 2000, Grounds For Sculpture is a public not-for-profit corporation with a Board of Trustees overseeing the successful operation of the sculpture park and museum. As a not-for-profit and public institution, Grounds For Sculpture relies on the support of visitors, art patrons, donations and grants to offer its rich programs and activities each year.

Grounds For Sculpture is currently holding a Seward Johnson Retrospective so among the several hundred pieces of art on display, there are close to 140 by the prolific artist. Grounds for Sculpture is a very large exhibit and I am sure I didn’t see it all today.  I plan on returning.  I hope you enjoy this slideshow from my visit today.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.