Andres Institute of Art facts for kids
Artists Studio
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| Established | 1996 |
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| Location | 98 Route 13 Brookline, New Hampshire |
| Type | Sculpture park |
The Andres Institute of Art is a special place in Brookline, New Hampshire, USA. It's a big outdoor park filled with amazing sculptures! Imagine hiking trails where you discover unique artworks made of metal and stone. This park was started in 1996 by Paul Andres and John Weidman. It's the largest sculpture park in New England, covering a huge area of 140 acres.
What is the Andres Institute of Art?
The Andres Institute of Art is a non-profit group that loves art and wants to share it with everyone. It's located on Potanipo Hill, which used to be a ski area. This ski area had different names over the years, like Brookline Ski Tow, Musket Mountain, and Big Bear Mountain.
The old ski lodge is now the welcome center for the Andres Institute of Art. Upstairs, it's called the Big Bear Lodge performance center. This center hosts concerts and musical shows. Both local artists and touring groups perform there regularly.
Exploring the Sculptures and Trails
More than 100 sculptures are spread out across the park. You can find them in gardens and forested areas. There are eleven hiking trails on the hillside. These trails range from easy walks to more challenging climbs. The views along the trails change beautifully with each season.
Most of the sculptures are abstract, meaning they show ideas or feelings rather than real objects. Each year, new artworks are added. Some come from new artists, and others are from artists who have created sculptures there before. As you walk, you might see pieces like Contempo Rustic. This is a couch made from large pieces of rock and metal. Another interesting work is Mbari House, a house-shaped sculpture of granite and metal. It stands as a symbol of peace and friendship.
Creating Art and Connecting with Artists
The Andres Institute hosts special events called Iron Melts. These events are open to the public. Visitors can buy sand molds and create their own designs. Then, they watch as hot iron is poured into the molds. This lets them make a unique iron tile to take home.
Since 1998, the institute has held an annual event called the Bridges and Connections International Sculpture Symposium. Artists from all over the world are invited to Brookline. They spend two weeks creating new sculptures for the park. Sculptors have come from countries like Lithuania, Latvia, England, and Greece. Artists from many states in the U.S. have also participated. During this time, the public can watch the artists work. Visitors can also join guided tours to learn more about the sculptures.
