Long Islanders looking for new places to explore need not look any further. Sculpture gardens are an underrated spot to visit as the weather begins to cool down.
This sculpture garden is "a quiet symphony of art and nature," says Einav Dembin, director of education at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor. "Over 43 works by more than 30 sculptors invite reflection and surprise. Sculptures appear along wooded trails, open fields and still ponds, shifting with the light and the season. Here, art and landscape evolve together," she says.
Another option is exploring the outdoor exhibits at The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook. It boasts a 9-acre campus with "rolling hilly terrain, walnut, maple and locust trees; historic structures, and ample opportunity for interesting perspectives," says Joshua Ruff, co-executive director of collections and programming. "We have been inviting sculptors to share their work on our campus since 2014, and we’ve been fortunate to have some dramatic figural, abstract, geometric and kinetic works here, from a wide range of artists."
Explore additional options below, and don’t forget to bring your sense of exploration.
Nassau County Museum of Art
1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor
Guests capturing moments with the art installations at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The museum's sculpture garden boasts over 40 works by established artists, including Fernando Botero, Mark di Suvero, Richard Serra, Chaim Gross, Tom Otterness and Masayuki Nagare. This collection of modern and contemporary artworks spans over a century. Visitors have the option to download the Bloomberg Connects app, which features information about the artists and sculptures, as well as audio guides.
Chaim Gross' "Caring," left, and Bruno Lucchesi's "Girl on a Bicycle" at the museum. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
- THINGS TO DO The museum is home to art exhibitions, nature trails, an arboretum, art classes, creative workshops, family programs, youth art education and mansion tours.
- UPCOMING EVENTS 3 p.m. Sept. 7: A talk with artist John Grande ($20); noon to 3 p.m. starting Oct. 4: Family Saturdays at The Manes Center ($20)
- COST Arboretum, trails and sculpture garden are free. Entry to the mansion (which has indoor exhibit space) is $15, $5 ages 12 and under
- HOURS Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
- MORE INFO 516-484-9338, nassaumuseum.org
LongHouse Reserve
133 Hands Creek Rd., East Hampton
LongHouse Reserve showcases more than 60 installations, including "Dream of Africa," by Shin Sang-Ho. Credit: John Roca
This 16-acre property in East Hampton was founded by designer Jack Lenor Larsen. Visitors can explore curated gardens and outdoor art installations, including a sculpture garden with more than 60 creations. Permanent pieces include works by Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono, Toshiko Takaezu and Willem de Kooning, while seasonal loans include works by Maren Hassinger, Jill Platner, Vadis Turner, Daniel Arsham, Alice Hope and more.
Stroll the gardens and see Buckminster Fuller's "Fly's Eye Dome." Credit: John Roca
- THINGS TO DO LongHouse Reserve offers a range of arts and wellness programs including Evening Painting in the Garden, Young Artist Paint and Sculpt Classes, Gentle Yoga, Walking Meditation, Sound Baths, Tai Chi, Twilight Tours of the Garden and more.
- UPCOMING EVENTS 11 am. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14 ($40-$50 per person) Japanese tea ceremony and workshop
- COST $20, $10 ages 12 and under
- HOURS Open Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- MORE INFO 631-329-3568, LongHouse.org
Guild Hall
158 Main St., East Hampton
The center is both a museum and a performing arts and education center, with its own sculpture garden. A standout sculpture on display is Tony Rosenthal’s "Cube 72," a 90-inch square that spins on its axis. Rosenthal once called the East End home, and he gifted the sculpture to Guild Hall.
- THINGS TO DO Guild Hall’s theater hosts over 200 programs year-round, from musical theater to children’s circus arts to panel discussions.
- UPCOMING EVENTS 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7: Stirring the Pot with chef and restaurateur Andrew Carmellini ($35); 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15: Art Social with artist Almond Zigmund ($35)
- COST Free
- HOURS Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- MORE INFO 631-324-0806, guildhall.org
Long Island Museum
1200 Rte. 25A, Stony Brook
Philip Grausman's "Eileen" and "Victoria" at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook. Credit: Kristina Robles
The Long Island Museum’s many sculptures were created from 1957 to present day. Two standout sculptures, both by Philip Grausman, include Eileen (made from 1993 to 1996) and Victoria (1999 to 2000). Both are composed of fiberglass.
- THINGS TO DO Visitors can also explore four galleries that showcase rotating art and history exhibitions. The 9-acre campus also includes a carriage museum, art installations, a fountain garden and historic buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop and an 18th century barn. Upcoming events include film screenings, the inaugural Long Island Museum Book Fair, plein-air painting, concerts and more.
- UPCOMING EVENTS noon Sept. 6 Culper Spy Days; 1 p.m. Sept. 14 "Tattoo: The Human Canvas" (free with museum admission)
- COST $15, $10 ages 6-17
- HOURS Open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- MORE INFO 631-751-0066, longislandmuseum.org
Sagaponack Sculpture Field
Wilkes Lane, Sagaponack
Sagaponack's Sculpture Field displays its owners collection of outdoor works, mostly by artists from the East End. Credit: Louis Meisel
Art dealer Louis K. Meisel’s privately owned sculpture garden is a 2-acre gem in the middle of Sagaponack. "I have many collections, and I began collecting major outdoor works by mostly East End artists," Meisel says. "There are about 25 works now. They are all contemporary." Artists whose sculptures are on display include Audrey Flack, Kenneth Snelson, Hans Van de Bovenkamp , Joel Perlman, Bill King, Robert Graham, Oded Halahmy and more. "This is just my personal collection. No curator, no point of view; just "attractive works of art" to look at and enjoy," he says.
- THINGS TO DO Visitors can explore the sculpture field
- COST Free
- HOURS Open daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- MORE INFOsculpturefield.com
