AIA Central hosts a Super Saturday event at the Grounds for Sculpture  (Shared from AIACNJ.org as posted on Jul. 10, 2024)

AIA Central New Jersey (AIACNJ) held a fabulous event, engaging members with the transformative power of art, architecture, and teamwork, at the Grounds for Sculpture, in Hamilton, NJ.  The event featured a Found Object Workshop, a Guided Tour and lunch together in the Van Gogh Cafe.  It was a dynamic day filled with creativity and discovery. 

Tour of Grounds for Sculpture  

The 42-acre sculpture park and museum in Hamilton, New Jersey offers a profound connection between nature, art and architecture. Bruce Daniels known as the GFS “Resident Historian” (his tenure dates to 1984), led an enlightening tour of the main buildings, the land, sculptures, unique horticultural gems, and an inside view into the historical archives. 

“The Grounds for Sculpture was developed on the former site of the New Jersey State Fairgrounds, which for nearly a century had hosted agriculture awards, technological innovations, domestic arts, and entertaining acts, before ceasing operations in the 1970s. In late 1982, philanthropist and artist Seward Johnson moved the Johnson Atelier, his school for sculpture, to a building adjacent to the dormant Fairgrounds. As the Atelier began to produce a growing body of work for many artists, Johnson began to envision a place to exhibit sculpture in nature. It became essential to Johnson’s vision that the new sculpture park would be an accessible place where all people could experience contemporary sculpture and beautiful grounds in a self-directed way, leading to greater appreciation and understanding of both art and nature.” -groundsforsculpture.org

Some of the highlights of the tour included a walk through the Domestic Arts Building, which blends history and contemporary art, and spending time in the archive library, where we listened to stories and looked at scaled models. Outside amidst the trove of fascinating sculptural works, where the landscape became an outdoor gallery, we learned about the 2,000 trees, representing more than 100 species and cultivars, that have been planted over time. “In addition to typical nursery stock, many plants were collected from estates and abandoned nurseries, or were salvaged from construction sites.” 

Participants also explored other key structures in the park, discussing the relationship between the buildings and the surrounding landscaped gardens. The tour emphasized the interplay between sculpture and architecture, and how special elements can work together to create a cohesive and immersive experience. 

This enriching tour not only deepened our appreciation for contemporary sculpture but also highlighted the significant impact of art and architecture within our community and environment. It was a perfect complement to the workshop, leaving everyone inspired and connected through the shared experience of history, creativity, and artistic expression. 

Found Object Workshop  

Led by Lead Museum Educator Callie Lasch, the Found Object Workshop went beyond traditional team-building activities. Callie guided the group through a creative process that emphasized the power of collective creativity and narrative. 

Everyday items became the building blocks for unique works of art, and the collective sculptures embodied the spirit and dynamics of teamwork. As attendees shared the stories behind their chosen objects, the apt listening and empathy of others was felt, with both humor and interest, as the groups gained a deeper understanding of other’s viewpoints and values. 

The exercise of thoughtful integration of personal artifacts and common themes was uplifting and full of energy as the teams collaborated with focused motivation and cohesion. This shared journey revealed the interconnectedness that drives successful collaboration, leaving everyone with valuable insights to propel their professional teams forward as united and powerful forces for good. 

Summary 

Participants left with new insights into the evolution of the property, the developed landscape, and the artists whose work fills the site of rich history. The workshops empowered a light-hearted sense of unity amongst the groups, making it a truly memorable experience.  

The AIA Central GFS attendees were collectively part of a fulfilled hope and vision, as attendees together experienced the connectively and relevance of art, architecture, nature and community! 

The interplay between sculpture and horticulture is an important part of the vision for GFS. In founder Seward Johnson’s words, the hope is that GFS will “fill people everywhere with the emotional sustenance derived from the powerful and restorative connection between art and nature.”   

Additional Information: 

• Original Event Announcement: AIA CNJ GFS 

• Grounds for Sculpture Official Website: www.groundsforsculpture.org  

• GFS Narrative History in PDF see link:  GFS History 

Event Photos: 

Provided for non-commercial use by Jay Rubinstein:
7thsignphotography.com