We first discovered Franconia Sculpture Park in 2008 when it was already 12 years old. Since that time it has grown from 16 acres to 50, and at 25 years old this year it still feels like a living entity, a work in progress. When we were there a few weeks ago an artist was preparing to install his work, which he said would be up soon. There are to be 40 new installations arriving this year. I love the way it is a working studio that is always changing, with new artists in residence each year. Here is a link to the post I wrote about it back then… Sunday’s Site – Franconia Sculpture Park. Not only has the park grown since then, so has our grandson who is now over 6 feet tall!
Unlike many arts organizations that were shuttered by the pandemic, Franconia thrived as one of the few art museums that never closed… thanks to wide open spaces where visitors can socially distance as they roam among the large sculptures. Pieces have rotated in and out over the years, but one favorite that is still there is the hanging house, RECLAMATION by Melanie VanHouten, in the photo above.
It is hard to describe how vast it is, and how huge pieces blend into the landscape. This year they plan to have less emphasis on large-scale pieces, turning more toward performance pieces and video. They offer tours, classes, events, programs, artist residencies… check out www.franconia.org for tons of info… then go, plan to spend some time there on your way to Taylor’s Falls or wherever else your wandering may take you.
I love the ‘Burma Shave’ style road signs along one of the paths. A good friend who was with us that day immediately recognized the signs as excerpts from the Mary Oliver poem, “I Worried“… a good lesson for all of us.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com
