Griffis Sculpture Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Griffis Sculpture Park |
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Sculptures by Larry W. Griffis Jr at Griffis Sculpture Park's Rohr Hill Road section
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| Type | Sculpture park |
| Location | 6902 Mill Valley Road East Otto, New York |
| Area | 425 acres (1.72 km2) |
| Created | 1966 |
| Operated by | Ashford Hollow Foundation for the Visual and Performing Arts |
| Open | May to October |
Griffis Sculpture Park is a special outdoor art museum located in Cattaraugus County, New York. It sits between the towns of Ashford Hollow and East Otto. This park is huge, covering about 425 acres (1.7 square kilometers).
Artist Larry W. Griffis Jr created the park in 1966. It was the very first sculpture park in the United States! Today, you can find more than 250 amazing artworks here. Over 100 different artists have contributed their creations. The park is also a nature preserve with about 10 miles (16 kilometers) of walking trails.
The park is managed by the Ashford Hollow Foundation for the Visual and Performing Arts. It welcomes around 35,000 visitors every year. You can visit the park from May to October. There is a small admission fee of $5 per person. You can pay this using QR codes near the entrance. The park also gets support from donations and fundraisers.
Contents
The Story of Griffis Sculpture Park
How the Park Began
The idea for an outdoor sculpture museum came to Larry Griffis when he was traveling in Italy. He was with his family, exploring the old ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s villa. Griffis noticed his children having a great time playing among the ruins. This made him realize how much fun art could be when you can touch it and interact with it.
His son, Simon Griffis, remembered his father saying, "This is amazing! My kids have been to fancy museums, but they've really come alive here. They can interact with things, smell the flowers, and touch the art."
Finding the Perfect Place
When Larry Griffis returned to the United States, he looked for the perfect spot for his park. He had a clear vision for the land. He wanted a mix of valleys, woods, a lake, and open spaces. He looked at other places, but they weren't quite right.
In 1966, Griffis bought 100 acres (0.4 square kilometers) near Ashford Hollow. He placed 15 of his own large sculptures there. These sculptures were made of welded steel and stood about 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall. They were set up on a hillside along a country road. Later, the Ashford Hollow Foundation bought another 325 acres (1.3 square kilometers). This allowed even more sculptures to be added to the park.
Art at the Park
Who Made the Art?
More than 100 artists from local areas, across the country, and even from other countries have created art for Griffis Sculpture Park. Many of the artworks were made by members of the Griffis family themselves. Other artists include Bolinski, Bellavia, Dwain, Gerst, Hatchett, Patterson, Mehrdad Hadighi, and Lauren Scime.
What Kind of Art Will You See?
The sculptures are made from different materials. You'll find art cast in bronze, welded steel, aluminum, and wood. The artworks are grouped into twelve different themes. These themes help tell a story or show a certain type of art.
You might see giant animals and insects. There are also life-size sculptures of people. Other groups include fun sets like castles or even submarines! It's a great place to explore and discover unique art in nature.
