By Irene Sperber

The author at the Storm King Art Center in New York: “How clever, but at least it offers perspective.”  Photo: Richard Sperber

Summer is for being outdoors, communing with nature, and realizing how much your fitness level has tanked with the passing year.  If you find any activity that does not involve museums, or other large enclosed cultural edifice, is not up to your standards, perhaps you need to discover sculpture gardens this season.

I have two parks that I enjoy for the serenity, beauty and peace that one should encounter in the few months when participation in serious cultural events is not mandatory.

Storm King Art Center

Another view of the work at Storm King  Photo: Irene Sperber

Ralph E. Ogden and Peter Stern began Storm King in 1960. More than 500 acres display major pieces from the most prestigious American and European sculptors. The Storm King Art Center is located in Mountainville, New York, a little over an hour drive north from Manhattan. Wear comfy shoes, as you’ll probably burn up a few steps on your pedometer as you circumnavigate the breathtaking scenery peppered with these massive, mostly steel works.

I appreciate sculpture, but I must admit I am only lukewarm when experiencing them inside.  However, coming upon them in a natural setting, particularly on a property as diverse as Storm King, is on another level of understanding.  The angle of the sun, the setting, the season, the various vantage points, all contribute to completely unique viewing.

Irene comes upon a Luncheon on the Grass at Grounds for Sculpture in New Jersey: “I managed to intrude on a tete a tete.”  Photo: Richard Sperber

A gallery or museum cannot offer the patron a perspective from above or below as it can when witnessed on a hillside, or with the differing lighting as the day wears on.  I made it a point to visit again on a crisp autumn day, the vibrant leaves adding nature’s magic to man’s vision.

Andy Goldsworthy and Calder have provided past special exhibits.  Louise Bourgeois will be the special exhibition until November 15. stormking.org.

Grounds for Sculpture

Grounds for Sculpture is a much smaller, more whimsical garden, but calm and beautiful in its own way.  Located in Hamilton New Jersey, it is also a little over an hour drive from Manhattan.

At Grounds for Sculpture: “Oh, gee, is that me in the food line?”  Photo: Richard Sperber

Started in 1987 on the abandoned New Jersey State Fairgrounds by Seward Johnson, this garden displays internationally known and American artists. Over 23 sculptures grace the grounds. I found myself stumbling into several recreations of famed paintings throughout the park.   Seward Johnson’s sculptures of the people in Monet, Manet  and Renoir  paintings are embellished with landscaping to completely recreate  works in 3-D. Sculpture media range from bronze, steel and stone to concrete and wood.

A gourmet restaurant is on site as well as a small but charming snacky place and a cafeteria-type setting with good food and a lovely garden complete with sculpture in which to sample your ‘wich. (uh, sorry ‘bout that).

A reflective view of the gourmet restaurant at Grounds for Sculpture  Photo: Irene Sperber

There are various quiet nooks with hammocks and chairs that beg for a moment of reflection or just to bring a book and spend a quiet afternoon.

Special Exhibition: Richard Jolley until September 23. groundsforsculpture.org