Posted on by lvartscouncil

Harmony 3 by Daniel Kainz
Harmony 3 by Daniel Kainz

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council will host a benefit bus tour to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

Grounds for Sculpture is a year-round outdoor contemporary sculpture museum that occupies 42 magnificently-landscaped acres and three exhibition buildings on the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds in Mercer County.

Artist and philanthropist J. Seward Johnson Jr., grandson of Johnson & Johnson founder Robert Wood Johnson, envisioned the public garden as an ideal setting for people from all backgrounds to become comfortable with modern sculpture.

Since it opened in 1992, the collection has grown to more than 270 contemporary sculptures from around the world, including works by Daniel Kainz, Karl Stirner and Steve Tobin from the Lehigh Valley.

“There is a fascinating story about the connection between the Lehigh Valley and this beautiful sculpture garden that many Lehigh Valley residents do not know,” said Lehigh Valley Arts Council Executive Director Randall Forte.

In 1993, philanthropists Philip and Muriel Berman assembled thirteen sculptors in Allentown to explore working on a large scale with stone and steel. The artists were given studio access to a stone yard and a machine factory, fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools, cranes, and skilled factory assistants. At the end of three weeks, they produced sixty large works. Some of those original pieces are permanently installed at Grounds for Sculpture.

Lehigh Valley Sculptor Daniel Kainz will accompany guests on the bus and tour.

Bus leaves at 9:00AM from the Arts Council office and returns to Allentown at approximately 4:30PM. Cost is $100 per person and includes round trip bus ride to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ, entrance fee, and a bag lunch. ($50 represents a tax-deductible contribution to the Lehigh Valley Arts Council.) Reservations required. To register online, visit the Lehigh Valley Arts Council website.

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