Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park |
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 450 South 4th Street Lewiston, New York |
| Nearest city | Lewiston, New York |
| Area | 108 acres (0.44 km2) |
| Created | 1974 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 301,523 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park |
Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park, usually called Artpark, is a fun place in Lewiston, Niagara County, New York. This state park is about 108 acres (0.44 square kilometers) in size. It's named after Earl Brydges, who was a New York State Senator.
Artpark is managed by a group called Artpark & Company, Inc. This group works with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Artpark & Company is a special non-profit organization. It focuses on arts and education for people in Western New York and Southern Ontario.
Every summer, Artpark welcomes over 150,000 visitors. People come from all over Western New York and Canada. Over the past 40 years, more than 2.5 million people have enjoyed music and theater shows here. The park also has amazing views of the Niagara Gorge.
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What Can You Do at Artpark?
Artpark is a great place to visit! It offers many activities, especially during the summer.
- Summer Shows: You can enjoy lots of musical performances.
- Picnics: There are picnic tables and pavilions for outdoor meals.
- Fishing: You can go fishing in certain areas.
- Hiking: Explore the park on its hiking and nature trails.
- Theater: Watch shows at the performing arts theater.
- Programs: Join in various recreation programs.
The park is also home to the Lewiston Mound. This is an important archaeological site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Art and Nature at Artpark
Artpark started in 1974. It quickly became famous for its unique outdoor art. Many artists came to create special art pieces here. These artworks were often called "land art." They used natural materials and the landscape itself.
The park was built on a former industrial site. This made it a special place for artists to create. They made over 200 art pieces and installations between 1974 and 1984. These artworks were usually temporary. They were meant to be enjoyed for a while, then nature would reclaim the space.
Famous Artworks at Artpark
Many talented artists created temporary installations at Artpark. Here are some examples:
- Hydra's Head by Nancy Holt (1974)
- Bingo by Gordon Matta-Clark (1974)
- Pool of Virgin Earth by Alan Sonfist (1975)
- Niagara Gorge Relocated by Michelle Stuart (1975)
- Artpark Installation by Dale Chihuly and Seaver Leslie (1975)
- Rice/Tree/Burial by Agnes Denes (1977)
- The Beginnings of a Complex..., Excerpt Shaft #4/ Five Walls by Alice Aycock (1977)
- Shorings by Alice Adams (1978)
- Art Park Spoils Pile Reclamation by Helen Harrison, Newton Harrison, and Joshua Harrison (1976-1978). This was a three-year project.
- Omega by Owen Morrel (1980)
- Merlin's Canopy and Mirror-Fence for Joanne by Merle Temkin (1981)
- Newton Discovering Gravity by Dennis Oppenheim (1984)
Performance Areas
Artpark has two main places for performances: the Amphitheater and the Mainstage.
The Amphitheater
The Amphitheater is an outdoor stage. It can hold up to 10,000 people. There are seats close to the stage. There are also grassy areas where you can sit on the lawn. This area hosts musical performances every week during the summer season.
The Mainstage
The Mainstage is an enclosed theater. It has a stage with special equipment for shows. It can seat up to 2,400 people inside. There are also outdoor areas like a terrace and balcony for events. The back wall of the Mainstage can open up to a lawn area. This lawn can hold another 2,000 viewers.
The Mainstage hosts many different events. These include musical and theatrical performances. School graduations and other presentations also happen here. Artpark is even recognized as a place where movies and TV shows can be filmed!
