newscasting - GFS Members Newsletter - Spring 2014

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newscastingImagining A Sculpture Park+The NEWMember Lounge

MarAprMay Educationconnections with sculpture

BPPbusiness partner program

THE PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS OF GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE

March 2014

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welcome features

Spring is on its way, and at Grounds For Sculpture there are so many new things to share. New exhibitions, a new Welcome Center, and new educational initiatives are just

a few. As we continue this phase of growth and expansion, we are listening closely to what you – our community – have to say because we want to be relevant to you. So if you have been a part of a focus group, filled out a survey, or sent a note, we thank you! Here are some thoughts you shared about newscasting:

“I just wanted to share with you my appreciation for the newscasting publication I received today. It is quite informative and enjoyable to read. I was intrigued by all of

the stories but particularly pleased with the article highlighting the partnership GFS had with YouthGrow. Giving urban kids an opportunity to experience gardening and the importance of fruits and vegetables in an environment at GFS is in-line with what our First Lady in the White House is striving to accomplish with her initiative. Those kids will remember that occasion for a lifetime! Congratulations to you and your colleagues for this publication. Bravo, well done!” Lee Downing

“Congratulations on your newsletter! It is a wonderful way to maintain an ongoing connection with members. Thank you.” Ann Fisher

Feel free to drop us a line and stay connected. We love hearing from you! Aylin GreenDirector of MembershipTel [email protected]

05EDUCATION

Connections With Sculpture.

07VOLUNTEERS

Making A Difference.

08GARDENS

Imagining A Sculpture Park

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GFS is in the midst of a major renovation to our Visitor Center, Museum shop and rental spaces. The new areas – all located in the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts (SJCA) – will be called the Welcome Center and will open to the public by May of 2014, in time for the opening of the Johnson Retrospective!

Park and Pay Entrance StructureIn concert with the opening of the new Welcome Center, a new park and pay entrance structure will guide visitors through the current main entrance to park behind the SJCA and enter the Welcome Center to pay their admission and receive a wrist band.

Member and Volunteer Priority Entrance Members and volunteers are invited to enter through the South Gate entrance where they will be greeted by Guest Services in the booth, checked in, and given their wrist bands. This will be a full service booth, so your guests will be

able to pay their admission at this gate, if needed. Then, Members and Volunteers will be directed to priority parking in the lot in front of the Museum Building. The main exit for all members, volunteers, and guests will be located behind the SJCA.

Upgrades to Pathways in the MeadowAdditionally this spring, there will be upgrades to pathways that lead guests to the Meadow area, the newest outdoor exhibition area on the south end of the park. Stabilizer paths will be

installed throughout the Meadow to replace the current woodchip pathways. Constructed of finely ground stone mixed with an adhesive substance, these paths have a “sandy” naturalistic look while providing a smooth surface for assistance vehicles such as wheelchairs.

> initiatives

Visitor Center

MainVisitor

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Fairgrounds Road

JohnsonAtelier

Not open to public

WaterGarden

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DomesticArts Building

Museum

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Member and VolunteerEntrance

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Priority ParkingGazebo

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Toad Hall Rat’s

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Cover photo by David W. Steele


news

CONNECT WITH US

JOIN: Our members receive special discounts on

everything from shopping and dining to classes and more, exclusive invitations

to exhibition openings, and free admission to the

park year-round…just for starters. To become a GFS member or for

more information about the many benefits of

membership, contact our Director of Membership at

(609) 689-1089. We offer corporate

memberships too!

If you love Grounds For Sculpture, there’s lots of ways to

get involved. And as a not-for-profit

organization, each one is incredibly important to

our sustainability.

Go green Receive event guides

electronically by sending an email to gogreen@

groundsforsculpture.org. You’ll be helping us take a step toward sustainability and be among the first to receive this information, which means you’ll have

first dibs on programs that always sell out!

Please be sure to add gogreen@

groundsforsculpture.org to your address book so you

get our messages!

WHERE DID IT GO? by Tom Moran, Chief Curator

Some sculptures in the GFS permanent collection on occasion seemingly disappear. This leaves our members and

repeat guests mystified especially if they count on seeing the pieces again during another visit. A few days or a few months later the works reappear but are often installed in different locations highlighted by new landscaping. The decision to implement these sculpture moves is driven by the very essence of Grounds For Sculpture’s design philosophy, one that is rooted in the installation of the highest quality sculptures within nature. As we continually examine the overall collection, we see new opportunities to present an artist’s work in a more optimal way within the unique landscape of the Grounds. While this is frequently the case, there are other factors that come into play to influence removing sculptures such as the wear and tear to works caused by environmental conditions. GFS takes the care and conservation required to keep the artworks true to their creator’s intent very seriously.

As we now implement the exhibition plan for “Seward Johnson: The Retrospective” which opens this coming May 2014, GFS has moved specific sculptures in the permanent collection to accommodate over 150 sculptures featured in Mr. Johnson’s exhibition, both the largest showing of his work in his career and the largest exhibition in GFS’ history. As it turns out, some of the de-installations of sculptures in preparation for the Johnson retrospective are providing GFS with a unique opportunity to take steps for conservation in a concentrated way. The actual restoration of the sculptures is most often performed indoors in the various workshops at the nearby Johnson Atelier. When these works are eventually returned for display in the Grounds, they will have been freshly repainted or structurally restored.

PTTSAAES8/01 (Point Traveling Through Space At An Erratic Speed 8/01) was created by the noted Colorado sculptor Robert Mangold (born. 1930), who is known primarily as a creator of kinetic metal works and whose roots as an artist started with a great appreciation of movement in nature. His initial foray into kinetic sculpture was launched at Indiana University in the late 1950’s when he won a design competition to install a sculpture for the art department. After moving to teach at Denver University, he reaffirmed his commitment to kinetic sculpture by producing several major works. Throughout the 1960’s and 70’s Mangold became known for his vast explorations in kinetic works, most notably his wind driven “Anemotives” which are considered his signature pieces and the cumulative manifestation of his aesthetic philosophy. By the late 1980’s Mangold had envisioned the PTTSAAES series of works and had begun fabricating them in the early 1990’s from industrial stainless steel, brass, or aluminum piping. The role of space in these works is most important to Mangold as the appendages of the work implies continuous space accentuated by “notching” some of the tubular pipes. These sculptures, including PTTSAAES 8/01, are very much a product of his concern for perception and relationships of time and motion in space. They imply a static or freeze-frame kind of evocation of the two forces.

PTTSAAES 8/01 will return to GFS freshly painted and with new landscaping at the conclusion of the Johnson retrospective. Stay tuned for the new location. It’s all a part of the surprises in store for you at Grounds For Sculpture.

sculpture

Robert Mangold, PTTSAAES, 2001, painted steel, 330 x 84 x 120 inches, Courtesy of The Sculpture Foundation, Inc.


CONNECT WITH US

Volunteer: Our volunteer program is an enriching and fun way to spend free time. We cherish—and rely

on—the invaluable time our volunteers contribute. To volunteer at GFS or for more information about

how you can donate your time, contact our Manager

of Volunteer Services at (609) 586-0616, x. 247.

If you love Grounds For Sculpture, there’s lots of

ways to get involved. And as a not-for-profit


our sustainability.

GFS ONLINEGFS is just a click away and there’s lots of ways to stay in

touch. Visit us online at www.groundsforsculpture.org.

There, you can sign up for our e-newsletter and get

regular updates about what’s new and happening at the park. You can also “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our

Pinterest page.

Members Opening Reception Friday, May 9, 6 – 8 pmJoin us in a celebration of Seward Johnson’s retrospective exhibition! Mix and mingle with your fellow Members and invited guests as we raise a toast to our illustrious founder, the incomparable J. Seward Johnson, Jr. For current Individual level or higher Members only. Renew, join, or upgrade by April 18, 2014 to take advantage of this exclusive benefit of GFS Membership. During the celebratory event on May 9 Members are invited to get the first look at a new feature of GFS Membership – the Member Lounge. Designed exclusively for the enjoyment of our loyal supporters, the Member Lounge is your place to relax, learn, and socialize with friends.

First Look Family Tours Saturday, May 10, Tours at 10:30 and 11:30 amA special opportunity for Family and Family Plus Members to view our new exhibitions. Bring the family and take a tour, participate in an art activity, and enjoy the new exhibitions. For current Family level or higher Members only.

members only events calendar Please call (609) 586-0616, ext 243 to register for any of the following Members only events.

Renew, join, or upgrade by April 18, 2014 to take advantage of this benefit of GFS Membership.

Seward’s Inspirations: Rodin In honor of Seward Johnson: The Retrospective June 4, bus departs GFS at 9:30 am, returns at 5 pmWhen asked what museums Seward Johnson loves to visit most, the Rodin Museum in Paris was at the top of his list. Lucky for us, the Rodin Museum of Philadelphia is a bit closer and just as inspiring. Join us for a special tour of the newly renovated museum and garden as we learn about the life and work of the man who is considered to be the first modern sculptor. After the museum, no need to break the mood, we can still feel like we are in France by dining at Parc, a chic brasserie serving traditional bistro fare in a charming and comfortable space. $95/person. Limited to the first 50 GFS members.

GFS Members Adventures Trip to Nantucket Island, Massachusetts In honor of Seward Johnson: The Retrospective26 miles off the coast of Cape Cod you will find an island of pristine beauty 14 miles long and 3.5 miles wide with something to offer for everyone. Join us for this once in a lifetime tour of artist studios, beautiful beaches, gourmet meals, luxurious shopping, whaling history, fine art, and more. This special trip to the location of Seward Johnson’s summer home is sure capture more than a few hearts as we experience the “grey lady” to her fullest. Please call the Membership Office for more information at (609) 689-1089 or email [email protected].

In order to demonstrate our appreciation of our volunteers and all the time and talent they share, GFS Membership is pleased to welcome 62 volunteers who have met or exceeded their full volunteer time commitment to Grounds For Sculpture. Each was given a complimentary Individual Membership that comes with a barcoded card for easy entry to the sculpture park and offers the full host of benefits, including access to the new Member Lounge. It is one way we can say “Thank you” for their ongoing support. If you are interested in learning more about contributing as a volunteer, contact Nancy Schomburg, Manager, Volunteers and Docents at [email protected] or (609) 586-0616, ext. 247.

Membership honors

Volunteers

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Rachel Udell, The Shapes of My Dreams and of My Nightmares, 2007-2013, dimensions variable

yarn, fabric, thread, fiberfill, mixed media, Courtesy of the Artist

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education> initiatives: Connections with Sculpture

In 2013, the Education Department at Grounds For Sculpture began an exciting new program called Connections with

Sculpture with the goal of engaging local teachers and students with hands-on learning experiences about sculpture. While GFS has always offered reduced admission and guided tours for schools, the museum lacked the resources to provide hands-on art workshops to visiting schools. Thanks to the support of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Rita Allen Foundation, and the Fairleigh Dickinson Foundation, the Connections with Sculpture program began this past summer.

Using data from the New Jersey Arts Education Census, which ranks public schools on the quality of their arts education program, local schools in high need were identified as target partners. Outreach to these schools proved there were many

educators eager for an opportunity to take their professional education to the next level and to offer unique learning experiences for their students. Ultimately, 9 local

educators were selected for the first year of this program.

Each participating educator attended a 3-day professional development seminar held in August 2013. During this training, educators learned about GFS, had a virtual tour of the park, and visited the Johnson Atelier and Digital Atelier, among other activities. In addition, educators participated in two hands-on art workshops taught by professional artists with works on view at GFS. Bruce Lindsay taught a casting workshop and Meryl Taradash taught a workshop on kinetic sculpture. Then, educators worked collaboratively to brainstorm concepts for school lessons related to each topic.

To evaluate educators’ learning during this training, each completed a pre- and post-experience survey. These surveys uncovered interesting results! First, after attending the training, all 9 educators plan to teach contemporary art in their classrooms, even though only 3 had done so before. Second, the professional development provided educators with knowledge of contemporary art, which was demonstrated through the lessons they wrote on the last day exploring these topics. Third, the training provided educators with resources to make cross-curricular connections with contemporary art. Educators wrote they plan to use sculpture “to address 3D creation and cross-curricular connections with math” and “will integrate elements of contemporary art

study and creation into writing activities in my languages arts classroom”.

Following the professional development, each educator was encouraged to return to GFS for a school visit with their class at no cost. Educators were given a choice between a casting workshop and a kinetic workshop based upon the workshops the teachers themselves participated in. Travel stipends were available to help defray the cost of busing to and from GFS. Through the end of 2013, 4 educators returned with their classes, and GFS looks forward to hosting school visits for the remaining 5 classes in early 2014. Students who have participated thus far arrived well-prepared for their visit and excited to take part in a hands-on activity. They have created some amazing artwork as well!

Plans are underway to build upon the experiences of this year and to continue to offer the Connections with Sculpture program for local educators and their students in the coming years. If you know of a teacher or school in need who would be interested in learning more about this program, please contact Cassandra Demski, Curator of Education at (609) 586-0616, ext. 222 or [email protected].

GFS Space Explorers! Sculptors use positive space and negative space in their artwork. Positive space is the subject of the artwork. Negative space is the area around the positive space; sometimes called background. Think of a bagel. The hole in the center is the negative space and the bread is the positive space.

Two Face Telescope by Elizabeth Strong-Cuevas is one example of work at GFS that plays with positive and negative space. What do you see in the negative space?

Look for positive and negative space in other works on your next visit to GFS. Could positive space or negative space exist without the other? Sketch your favorite artwork at GFS that uses both positive and negative space. Make sure to include both the positive and negative space!

Image credit: Strong-Cuevas, Two Face Telescope, 1990, fabricated aluminum, 168 x 144 x 72 inches, Courtesy of The Sculpture Foundation, Inc., photo: David W. Steele

GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

FAMILY ACTIVITY

Artist and Instructor Bruce Lindsay with teachers

Teachers and students get ready to make sculpture

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members

Members’ Musings Exhibition This year marks the fifth annual exhibition of art by GFS members in the Education Gallery, located adjacent to the Visitor Center of the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts at GFS. In addition to supporting the arts, many GFS members are gifted artists themselves and work in a variety of media. This exhibition provides an opportunity to share their contributions to the dialogue of art at GFS and furthers the Education Gallery’s commitment to exhibiting artwork created by members of the community.

Member’s Musings is a juried exhibition. We are pleased to announce that this year’s juror is Kelly Baum, the Haskell Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Princeton University Art Museum. She has been working as a curator and scholar for almost fifteen years and has organized several exhibitions, including New Jersey as Non-Site, for which she received a Warhol Curatorial Research Fellowship. In addition to overseeing the Princeton University Art Museum’s Sarah Lee Elson, Class of 1984, International Artist in Residence Program, she serves as a curatorial adviser to Princeton’s campus art committee, and has published many articles on modern and contemporary art. If you are an artist and a member, we welcome your participation in this exhibition opportunity!

Dates to remember:Early April: prospectus emailed to current membersApril 28 – May 16: digital submissions dueMay 29: juror selectionsJune 3: notification of selection via email July 12- August 24: exhibition dates July 12: Opening Reception

Meet Karen Parmelee,

Membership Assistant

Karen Parmelee has been with GFS for almost 3 years and has enjoyed her roles as both the Membership Assistant and as a Guest Services staff member. As a part time position, Karen spends several week days managing the input and printing of membership packages and on Saturday you will find her greeting visitors to the Grounds anywhere from the entry gate booth to Visitor Center to DAB or any other position throughout the sculpture park. Karen is looking forward to the opening of the newly renovated Visitor Center this spring, which will host park entry and a special membership desk in one area. “I enjoy interacting with the members and visiting guests and seeing them discover the beauty and inspiration of Grounds For Sculpture.”

Prior to working at GFS, Karen earned a BS degree in Accounting, worked for the Internal Revenue Service, has been a substitute teacher, and has enjoyed spending time with her family. She has served on the Board of the Makefield Women’s Association, where she is currently an active member. Karen and her husband Rob have been married for 23 years and live in Yardley, PA. Their older son is currently attending his second year at The Art Institute of Pittsburg studying Game Art and Design, and their younger son is in 5th grade and loves playing baseball.

Introducing: The NEW Member LoungeThe Member Lounge will be open regularly beginning May 10 on Wednesdays – Saturdays from 10:30 am – 5 pm to welcome GFS Members at the Individual level and above. Located in the SJCA building in a bright corner room overlooking the pond and gardens, we have created an inviting space for members to take a break with a complimentary cup of coffee or tea. Come and read the latest museum publications, learn about upcoming programs for members, or connect with a Membership representative.

Watch this space! This image of the current “Gallery B” space will be transformed into the Member Lounge. Photo by Alex Silagyi


volunteersVOLUNTEERS – MAKING A DIFFERENCE BEHIND THE SCENESThere is something for everyone in the Volunteer Services Department at Grounds For Sculpture! Our volunteers are a diverse group with a variety of interests and talents. In addition to the valuable volunteer roles such as providing tours, assisting with workshops, or responding to the needs of our guests, we have Special Projects that our volunteers tackle that are often a bit “behind the scenes”.

CONNECT WITH US

DONATE: GFS is a not-for-profit self-

sustaining organization that relies on the

generosity of those who believe, as we do, that

art belongs in the lives of everyone. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Whether you make a

one-time donation, provide steady and reliable

support through a monthly pledge, or are including

GFS in your estate planning, your contribution will help us keep the park thriving for years to come. To make a gift or for more information, contact our Director of Development

at (609) 586-0616, x. 233. Corporate sponsorship and

memorial opportunities are also available.

If you love Grounds For Sculpture, there’s lots of

ways to get involved. And as a not-for-profit


our sustainability.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer at GFS, please contact Nancy Schomburg, Manager of Volunteer Services at [email protected].

Currently, volunteers are working on an important project for the Marketing Department. Over the years, GFS has accumulated thousands of digital photos that are filed by photographer or event. With the capability to now add keywords to the individual photos for search purposes, accessing specific photos would be so easy, if only they were tagged with the keywords. For GFS Volunteers, this is not Mission Impossible! So far, about a dozen volunteers have been trained and are working through the files, key-wording each photo, and learning a lot about GFS in the process. This project not only assists the Marketing Department, but any GFS staff member utilizing photos.

This particularly cold winter, GFS participated as a collection site for the 2014 Jersey Cares Coat Drive. Jersey Cares is a nonprofit organization who partners with local nonprofits to identify needs and implement volunteer projects to meet these needs. GFS volunteers have stepped up to help sort coats as well as make significant contributions to the drive, whose goal was to collect and distribute more than 60,000 “gently used” winter coats to men, women and children in need throughout New Jersey. The drive was held from November through February, and together GFS and its supporters helped more than 400 people stay a bit warmer this winter.

Since the opening of the sculpture park, the Education Department has amassed a library of videos, many of them featuring artist talks that have been held at Grounds For Sculpture since its inception. The daunting questions were: What was usable, interesting, or relevant? With the help of a volunteer that evaluates videos professionally, the videos were organized and an evaluation chart was created. Subsequently, a request was sent out seeking volunteers who might be interested in viewing and assessing this collection. Over the course of 3 months, 10 volunteers viewed about 20 videos each and provided essential information that has allowed Education to develop programming around the best of this untapped resource. Tuesdays – Fridays in June, visitors will be able to stop in for screenings of excerpts from the video archives. A full schedule will be posted on the GFS website after May 1.

Diversity in our corps of volunteers, strengthens the core of GFS and allows us to tap the skills, interests and talents of the community’s greatest resource, its people.

The Annual Appeal at Grounds For Sculpture is a time when the organization reaches out to its supporters and asks them to make a tax-deductible contribution to help sustain and grow the many excellent exhibitions and programs for the public. In order to add a personal touch to these mailings, GFS volunteers spent many hours adding hand-written notes to the letters, encouraging recipients to love and support GFS as much as they do.

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GROUNDSFORSCULPTURE.ORG

Imagining a Sculpture Park

Grounds For Sculpture occupies a small portion (42

acres) of what was once the New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Situated between Nottingham Way and East State Street, the Fairgrounds at one time probably covered over three hundred acres.

The State Fair had a long and illustrious history at this location. It was originally a horse racing track. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show performed here. Annie Oakley stayed at the Bromley Inn. The Wright Brothers flew demonstration flights for the crowds. At some point the horse track was replaced by an automobile race track, eventually becoming an Indianapolis style venue which hosted the Trenton 200 every year.

By the 1960’s and 1970’s the Fair was starting to lose its appeal as the economy of central New Jersey was changing away from agriculture, and the City of Trenton was falling on hard times. By the early 1980’s the State Fair had moved to Cherry Hill, the Fairgrounds property had been sold to a developer, and the land was subdivided into an Industrial Park with a residential component on the east side of the lake.

In December of 1982 the Johnson Atelier purchased a 39,000 SF building on Ward Avenue Extension in Hamilton Township, and relocated its school of sculpture from a rental property near Princeton. The ruin of the Fairgrounds was in their new back yard.

It didn’t take long before Seward Johnson, Herk Van Tongeren, and Isaac Witkin started kicking around the idea of creating a place to show sculpture adjacent to the Atelier. On April 11, 1984, the Atlantic Foundation, a Johnson Family Foundation, purchased a 12 acre parcel directly behind the Atelier that included three of the old Fairgrounds Exhibition Buildings. At that time I was the newly hired Property Supervisor of the Atlantic Foundation, and my first major assignment was to secure and stabilize the Fairgrounds property. My initial visit to the site was quite a shock. I had been to the Fair a couple of times in the past, but now I was looking at an overgrown ruin, buildings with broken windows, leaking roofs, and flocks of pigeons in residence. The grass was thigh high, and piles of debris were everywhere. The racetrack had been removed, but the concrete foundation of the grandstand was still in place. It was very difficult to look at the site and imagine a sculpture garden.

But Mr. Johnson did imagine a sculpture garden, and in 1985 he instituted an architectural design competition. Three architectural firms were paid $10,000.00 each to make design presentations for a sculpture park at the Fairgrounds. In April of 1986 the three firms presented their design proposals. Brian Carey of AC/BC Associates of New York City was selected to be the project architect, and Brian has been working on Grounds For Sculpture ever since.

If you look at an old aerial photograph of the Fairgrounds you will notice that there are very few trees on the site. The main entrance Maple allee comes in from Nottingham Way and curves around the front of the Motor Exhibit & Domestic Arts Buildings. Another Maple allee enters the site from East State Street to the north. There are some trees clustered around the Bromley Inn on Nottingham, and a few others scattered here and there throughout the Fairgrounds. [If you are interested in which of these trees are left today, you can find nine Maples of the original north entrance allee near the Lieberman sculpture off East State Street, and three Maples within Grounds For Sculpture: one near the helipad; one near the Serpent Mound’s tail in the Children’s Picnic Area; and one with a circular bench around its trunk just east of the Museum. The famous Bicycle Beech is one of the original “scattered trees”.]

When I first arrived on our twelve acre parcel, only about a dozen Maple trees remained. The construction of an adjacent shopping center had wiped out most of the grand entrance allee. We had pretty much a blank slate on which to imagine a sculpture garden, as long as you could see past the perfectly flat weed choked fields, the broken buildings, and the piles of debris.

Following the architectural design competition we spent

Circa 1950 – The entire NJ State Fairgrounds

by W. Bruce Daniels, Facilities Director / Project Manager


the next three years meeting, talking, and planning: Site engineering was completed; a development application was submitted; public hearings were held; Zoning Board approval was obtained; budgets were developed; construction documents were drawn up; bids were solicited; and contractors were hired and scheduled. Brian put together the first plant list – 209 trees & 110 shrubs – and we began visiting nurseries and tagging the plants that would become the backbone of the garden.

On August 2, 1989 the bulldozers began running, and construction of the sculpture park was underway. The initial planting that fall included 20 Weeping Willows along the lakeshore; 26 Redspire Pear street trees; 12 Higgan Cherries; 9 Dawn Redwoods; 3 Cyprus; 13 Birches; a Weeping Cherry at the edge of a newly created pond; a centerpiece Weeping Beech; and 124 Crabapples planted in a grid surrounding the parking lot (half of them upright Strawberry Parfaits and the other half weeping White Cascades). The shrubs included Forsythia, Rhododendron, and Euonymus Alatus.

That was the physical beginning of a sculpture garden that had been imagined, and “seen”, and talked about, and planned for the better part of seven years. Now nearly twenty five

years have passed. When April comes around, stand in front of the Museum Building and take in the barrage of color and scent as the 124 Crabapples approach their quarter century mark in bloom.

Then take a walk through the building, and take a seat on the circular bench that surrounds one of the few surviving Fairgrounds Maples. Close your eyes, and see if you can imagine the Midway, smell the popcorn, and hear the roar of the race cars?

Mid 1980s – The property prior to GFS Construction

1996 – Grounds For Sculpture starts to take

shape

It didn’t take long before Seward Johnson, Herk Van Tongeren, and Isaac Witkin started kicking around the idea of creating a place to show sculpture adjacent to the Atelier.

Our Members are vital to GFS, and we want to show it. This month, all GFS members enjoy 20% discounts Tuesday – Thursday at the new 1200 square foot gift shop located in SJCA (does not include consignment items). We will also be offering special members only programs and free GFS gear giveaways. Thank you for your support!

May is

Members

Month!


support GFSNEW! GFS Business Partner Program - Memberships for Area BusinessesArt, Opportunity & Community Connections

Join with a special group of business leaders in our community who care deeply about keeping the arts alive in New Jersey! The Grounds For Sculpture Business Partner Program (BPP) represents an exciting and significant partnership between area businesses and art. The business community’s membership and participation play an invaluable part in GFS’ growth and success. With this support GFS will be able to present new exhibitions, financially sustain its permanent collection, and enhance its programs for children and adults.

Enjoy the privileges of support – gain visibility for your business and enhance the quality of life for the public, your clients and your employees. To show our appreciation we offer the following benefits for each member of the GFS Business Partner Program (BPP):

• Your company listing on the GFS website

• GFS BPP card entitling the bearer and one guest free admission, each visit

• Recognition plaque for your office

• Invitation to Annual BPP Networking Reception with fellow regional business partners

• Members-only exhibition openings invitations

• Additional one day guest passes for clients, customer or employees

• Discounts on additional guest pass purchases

• Discounts for card-holders at the Museum Shop and Rat’s Restaurant for up to 8 guests each visit

• Discounts at the Peacock Cafe

• Discounts on GFS facility rentals and corporate team building activities

Opportunities exist for Non-profit organizations too. For more information on how your business or organization can benefit from membership In the Business Partnership Program at Grounds For Sculpture, or to craft a Business Partner Program exclusively to meet your needs, please contact Janis Martin-Hughes at 609-586-0616, ext. 248.

Join Us for a Gala Celebration… A Memorable Evening with Seward Johnson

Hold the Date: Saturday, May 3rd 2014

In May, Seward Johnson the Retrospective will feature over 100 works by our beloved founder and kick off 5 months of celebrations not to be missed! Marking one of the largest exhibitions in the sculpture park’s history, the broad array of Mr. Johnson’s works will include iconic and monumental sculptures such as Forever Marilyn, The Awakening, and Daydream (X3). As a singular once-in-lifetime celebration of the life and work of Seward Johnson, Grounds For Sculpture will host a Gala Celebration on Saturday, May 3rd. The evening will offer attendees an intimate peek into the stories behind his sculptures and perspectives on his works led by some of Seward Johnson’s closest friends and family. To be held in the newly renovated Seward Johnson Center for the Arts, the celebration will begin with cocktails followed by dinner and musical entertainment, including conversation with Seward Johnson. The featured performer of this memorable evening will be personal friend and noted performer Clint Holmes who has been called one of the greatest contemporary entertainers of our time. While the concert stage remains the mainstay of Holmes’ career, he moves effortlessly between the worlds of music, television, and theatre. Clint Holmes will join friends, family and guests in celebration of the life and work of Seward Johnson.Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event are very limited. For more information or to reserve your table or tickets please contact: Janis Martin-Hughes, Manager of Corporate Engagement at 609-586-0616, ext. 248 or [email protected].

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Photo above: John Martini, Dream a Little Dream, 2005 (detail), polychromed steel, 87 x 44 x 21 inches, Courtesy of The Sculpture Foundation, Inc., © Artist or Artist’s Estate, photo: Michael Branscom


support GFS GFS BOARD EXPANSION

Teri P. CoxTeri is a passionate and committed communi-cations and marketing strategist, author, ad-vocacy consultant and change agent, who has devoted her profes-sional, volunteer and personal life to making a difference. She also is a lover of the arts and cultural events and has been an active member and supporter of Grounds for Sculpture for decades. For over 30 years, Teri has served government and non-profit organi-zations, professional and trade associations, research institutions, pharmaceutical and healthcare products companies, cancer and caregivers’ communities and global communications agencies. Teri is President of Cox Communications Partners, LLC, an award-win-ning, strategic communications and marketing con-sulting firm in Lawrenceville, NJ. She’s been working with the GFS team to strengthen development, out-reach, and marketing efforts.

“For decades, Grounds For Sculpture has giv-en me and my loved ones much joy, comfort, and peace. It’s such an arts and cultural treasure trove that increasingly adds to the quality of life in this area. As I’ve gotten to know members of the GFS team and learned more about the strategic plan, I had to get involved in supporting this important ef-fort. I look forward to working with fellow members of this esteemed leadership group to help GFS meet the challenges ahead, and realize its full potential as a renowned, sustainable and vital arts center for all people to enjoy well into the future.”

GFS’ Board Nominations Committee continues its goal to help support the long-term sustainability of Grounds For Sculpture, and is delighted to announce the addition of another new member. Now numbering at fourteen, the GFS Board represents a wide range of professional expertise: business and finance, philanthropy and nonprofits, marketing and audience development, strategic planning and fundraising, among others. The GFS Board actively oversees finances, program advancement, and strategic planning.

Current Members of the Grounds For Sculpture Board of Trustees:

Donor SpotlightThanks to the generosity of our wonderful donors, Grounds For Sculpture is able to provide artistic and educational initiatives, unique exhibitions, and engaging programs for the community. In this issue of newscasting, we feature a long-time member and donor, Chris Foglio. Chris has been coming to GFS with her daughter for many years; she attends many of the programs and events, and takes pride in introducing new people to the park. She currently lives in Yardley, Pa with her husband and daughter.

What is about Grounds For Sculpture that speaks to you?“I fell in love with Grounds For Sculpture when I moved to Mercer County— I had no idea that this gem was in my back yard. It was the perfect place to bring my young daughter Laila, who has since become the resident expert when her school comes for their annual visits. GFS has just become a piece of our lives, my daughter has grown up there, and it represents a big part of the time she spent with mom. I feel so lucky to live 15 minutes from it. It is fun to invite others and watch their reactions. The quality of the work is excellent and there is such a wide-variety of artists represented. It is one of the places that you see a breadth of community. It is different than other places that you go. When I feel down, I just come over to GFS.”

Why do you think it is important to support GFS?“I have always been a patron of the arts—to develop as a whole person, you need creative influence to dream—whatever you decide to do. The creative side makes me better in every aspect of my life. GFS is an outlet that allows me to look at the world differently. We all need to dream a little and that is why I want to support and bring as many people as I can to experience Grounds For Sculpture.”

Chris Foglio—December 2013, Annual Fund Donor and GFS Advocate

Eric Ryan, PresidentGordon Gund, Vice PresidentBarbara Lawrence, TreasurerDr. Ariel AbudUlli ArendtTeri P. CoxTracy Dickinson

Micheal GreenleafScott McVayEsther NovakGreg OlsenElizabeth Strong-CuevasRoger TonerBarry Zhang

Please consider joining GFS’ supporters and contributing to this year’s annual appeal. Visit www.groundsforsculpture.org, or call the Development Office at 609-586-0616 ext. 233 or 237.

Leave a Legacy, a free Charitable Giving Workshop

Strategies to benefit you, your family and the causes you care about.

Presented by Morgan Stanley of LawrencevilleWednesday, April 16th from 8 to 10am or

Tuesday, April 29th from 4 to 6 pmPlease call Janis Martin-Hughes by at 609-586-0616, ext. 248 or email to

[email protected] to reserve your space.

126 Sculptor’s Way, Hamilton Twp., NJ, 08619 | groundsforsculpture.org | (609) 586-0616

G R O U N D S F O R S C U L P T U R E

JOIN OR RENEW YOUR GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE MEMBERSHIP TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERSTAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

TUESDAY MAY 6 OR TUESDAY MAY 13 Behind the Scenes Tour with the Artist (special member pricing)FRIDAY MAY 9 Members Opening Reception & debut of the Member Lounge (must join or renew by April 18)SATURDAY MAY 10 First Look Family Tours (must join or renew by April 18)SATURDAY MAY 10 Insiders’ Walking Tour with Sta� from the Sculpture Foundation (special member pricing)SATURDAY MAY 17 Founder’s Vision Walking Tour with Bruce Daniels (special member pricing)

Representing nearly 50 years of work, this exhibition is a culmination of the prodigious whimsy and humanity of this extraordinary man, artist, and founder of Grounds For Sculpture. The Retrospective will include more than 150 sculptures sited in every indoor gallery and in the sculpture park.

THE LARGEST AND MOST

SIGNIFICANT EXHIBITION IN GFS HISTORY!

OPENINGMAY 4, 2014

Seward Johnson, Forever Marilyn ©1996, 2011 The Sculpture Foundation. Based upon the photograph by Bernard of Hollywood

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newscasting - GFS Members Newsletter - Spring 2014

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Transcript of newscasting - GFS Members Newsletter - Spring 2014