Located in Hamilton, New Jersey, the 42-acre Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) has officially announced its vibrant 2026 schedule. Combining more than 300 contemporary sculptures with a meticulously curated arboretum, GFS offers a year-round “sculpture park for all seasons” where rotating indoor gallery exhibitions interplay with a rotating horticultural cycle.
Spring & Summer Highlights: A Reawakening
Spring at GFS kicks off with a blanket of gold daffodils and purple irises in the Fairgrounds Garden, set against the backdrop of Isaac Witkin’s 14-foot hand-carved granite masterpiece, Eolith. Visitors can also experience:
- Interactive Art: Roberto Lugo’s 20-foot mixed-media sculpture Put Yourself in the Picture.
- Summer Blooms: The iconic Lotus Pond and Tropical Room take center stage alongside water lilies, hibiscus, and hydrangeas.
- Tactile Experiences: Outdoor works are designed to be touched (unless marked otherwise), encouraging a sensory connection with the art.
Fall & Winter: The Ever-Changing Landscape
The park’s beauty persists well into the colder months. The Red Maple Allée offers a brilliant display of ‘October Glory’ foliage in the fall, while winter brings the distinctive scent of witch hazel and winter hazel. Notable sculptures like Clifford Ward’s Jubilant Dancer and Brooke Barrie’s Mary provide points of reflection throughout the winter landscape.
Major 2026 Exhibitions and Installations
Curator Grace Yasumura notes that the 2026 season will feature works that “spark curiosity and invite reflection”. Key exhibitions include:
- “Raíces & Resistencias” (Roots & Resistance): An exploration of migration and identity by Salvador Jiménez-Flores, featuring an 80-foot mural and bronze hybrids.
- “Opening the Vault” (Starting May 17): A fresh look inside the GFS collection featuring masters of American art.
- Kiyan Williams’ Anti-Monument: Arriving in Spring 2026, Ruins of Empire II is a neoclassical portico built from earth excavated from the same quarry used for the nation’s capital.
- “Shantell Martin: Past, Present, Future” (Starting Sept 20): An immersive site-specific installation including murals and textiles.
The Johnson Atelier Acquisition
In a historic move, GFS acquired the on-campus Johnson Atelier in May 2025. This acquisition positions GFS as one of the few global institutions where major sculptures are both fabricated and exhibited on the same campus. Currently, over 40% of the artwork on view at the park was produced at the Atelier.
Dining in the French Countryside
No visit to GFS is complete without a meal at Rat’s Restaurant. Modeled after Claude Monet’s Giverny, the restaurant overlooks a re-creation of the famed footbridge and ponds. New Executive Chef Ali Loukzada brings global inspiration to a contemporary French menu, supported by an award-winning wine program. For lighter fare, the Van Gogh Café offers family-friendly snacks and sandwiches
