THE GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE – NEW JERSEY
Please hover over each image to see the artist credits. They are also listed below.
About Pamela Goodyer Iconic Photographer
Pamela Goodyer’s Photography Travel
It is rare that I write in the first person. This is one of those occasions.
The day of my exploration of The Grounds for Sculpture is etched in my memory, a pivotal moment that affected me both as an artist and as an individual. A transformation occurred within me, as if a barrage of inspiration had burst open, unleashing a torrent of ideas.
The Grounds for Sculpture is a sanctuary where art and nature intertwine, each piece resonating with a force of its own. I urge every artist to visit this extraordinary place. It is a transformative experience that transcends the ordinary, inviting you to witness the sublime interplay of imagination and reality.
The Grounds for Sculpture Photography Location
This is not our typical “where to do photography” article; it is a deep exploration of art and inspiration—an invitation to reflect on ways art profoundly affects us.
If there’s a single destination in New Jersey that deserves your attention, it is unquestionably The Grounds for Sculpture. I believe it deserves the highest spot on your list of places to visit in New Jersey, regardless of whether you are a photographer, sightseer or doing a day trip. Few experiences in New Jersey—or anywhere else—compare to wandering among these meticulously arranged works of art, each piece positioned to create moments of wonder and contemplation as you move through the landscape.
Located in Hamilton Township, this sprawling artistic haven transforms the New Jersey landscape into a living canvas where art and nature intertwine. Visitors can wander through seasonal gardens that frame hundreds of outdoor installations, where rotating collections from both renowned sculptors and promising newcomers are displayed.
Unlike traditional museums, here the boundaries between viewer and artwork dissolve amid pathways that wind through woods and water features.
Grounds For Sculpture is an artistic sanctuary that emerged from the vision of sculptor and benefactor Seward Johnson, who transformed the old state fairgrounds into a haven for three-dimensional art. More than 700 artists have had their work on view here.
PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATION
For our photographers, the vibrant foliage and artistic installations create endless photographic opportunities. Pack both your wide-angle lens and your macro lens.
We went through the Grounds with just our 360 camera and did not bring in our mirrorless camera—something we have never done before. We will return here again and again to explore and photograph more details. The next trip, we will bring our macro lens for up-close foliage photography, and we will add the images here to show you what is possible.
This first visit merely scratched the surface of what’s possible to photograph. You can come back again and again, and we suggest you put this on your list for each season, as we are doing.
Along with all of the sculpture, you will find a meadow rich with wildflowers, butterflies, a pond teeming with natural life, architectural reflecting pools, and native and exotic trees and flowers.
Grounds for Sculpture Accredited Arboretum
Grounds For Sculpture is a Level II Accredited Arboretum recognized by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.
IMPORTANT – So that you know, the Grounds for Sculpture requires prior authorization for all commercial photography. Our publication obtained proper permissions through an official application process. We’d like to ask readers to honor these regulations when visiting. Photography for personal use is allowed.
Please allow me to share a piece of poetry. From my thoughts, I crafted this poem:
Beyond Time: An Artistic Reverie for Mr. Johnson
That day, something truly enchanting unfolded.
I stepped onto the Grounds for Sculpture,
And felt an exquisite sense of belonging.
I danced with Gaia at the gate,
A jubilant embrace of nature’s glory.
Innocent and fresh,
With no names to guide me,
No tales foretold—
Just the promise of sculptures,
Inviting me to wander.
My purpose was singular: to explore,
To pen my article,
So others could trail in my footsteps.
My photographs would,
Narrate the story.
My spirit irresistibly drawn,
Unmistakably to the same artist.
The visionary’s figures exuded a tenderness:
Ordinary forms cradling extraordinary stillness,
As if time paused out in reverence.
I moved around the pieces.
As if traversing memory itself.
They bent, leaned,
Called me closer,
Not waiting for me—
But for recognition to arrive.
The colors wove a tale,
From a century past,
Igniting the creator within,
When they inquired.
Crowds ebbed and flowed around me.
Their laughter, chatter,
And rhythmic scrapes of shoes,
Did not distract me.
I remained rooted,
In tranquil solitude,
Camera poised.
A witness to the dance of history,
Absorbing the silence,
They did not touch.
Time thinned.
I could feel the space,
Between material and intention,
Chiseled into a single,
A luminous hesitation.
For a moment,
The world fell away.
An even more profound connection arose—
And yet, a tether between souls,
Silent yet unbroken.
Mr. Johnson,
In your Memory,
I dedicate this poem to you.
Your creations have stirred me, as few have.
I’ve crafted my art from your artistry.
With my images,
A tribute to you.
Artist to artist.
Soul to soul.
Though our paths failed to cross,
I know who you are,
Through your art.
Overwhelmed in a profound way,
I need not name the single tear.
I can let gravity do that.
I need not explain reverence.
Form will carry it.
Art recognizes intention before polish.
As did Seward Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. Johnson,
For your transcendent,
Art that will forever inspire us,
And unites us all,
Across time.
Rats Restaurant inside The Grounds for Sculpture
Walkway to Rat’s Restaurant.
RAT’S RESTAURANT
Rat’s Restaurant draws its inspiration from Ratty, a character in the timeless tale The Wind in the Willows. This charming eatery transports you to a quaint French café atmosphere, providing a unique dining experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Under the expert management of Constellation Culinary Group, and a menu bursting with bold French flavors, the staff prioritizes warm hospitality and the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms across Central New Jersey and beyond.
The food was exceptional, but it was the atmosphere that truly captivated us. I didn’t take any interior photos since we arrived during peak hours, but rest assured, we’ll be returning time and time again. I will make arrangements to go in off-hours because I have to show you the decor. If I could, I would make my house mimic this atmosphere.
For Corporate and Private Events of 15 or more, please contact:
Phone: 609.584.7800 ext. 271
For general inquiries:
info@ratsrestaurant.com
MUSEUM SHOP HOURS
Wednesday-Monday | 10 AM – 5 PM – Closed Tuesdays
CONTACT INFO:
609.249.0215
GFSshop@groundsforsculpture.org
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE HOURS
| Monday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
BEFORE YOU VISIT
- Reserve your timed ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Once they are at capacity, no additional tickets will be sold onsite.
- Member reservations required on weekends (Sat + Sun) and holidays.
- Both digital and paper guest passes require a free reservation and must be presented or scanned upon arrival. Please have your guest passes ready at entry.
- Print a map at home before you visit or use thier online interactive map: gfsmap.org
IMPORTANT FACTS
- Take personal photos and videos! No drones allowed. Professional photography/videography requires advanced approval.
- Timed tickets are general admission tickets with a specific date and entry time. Timed tickets apply to entry times only, and you may stay until closing.
- All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets may be rescheduled to a new date + time within 2 weeks of the original ticket date.
- Outside food is not permitted.
- Within the galleries, all artworks should be viewed, not touched.
- Refrain from touching sculptures marked “no touching”.
- Observe the animals from a distance. Do not chase, touch, or feed the peacocks and wildlife.
- Keep the garden clean—no smoking or littering.
- Explore the garden. Do not pick flowers or disturb plants.
- Children 16 and under must be chaperoned at all times.
- Grounds For Sculpture is mostly outdoors and open year-round in all weather conditions.
PHOTO CREDITS
Credits will also appear if you hover over each image above.
Photo of the Artist painting the boat:
Seward Johnson, Viral Art, 2019, cast bronze, aluminum, fabricated foam boat, 96 x 485 x 380 inches, Collection of The Seward Johnson Atelier, © 2020 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
Photo of the display in front of the main building:
Seward Johnson, Painting by the Glow of the Green Fairy, 2016, bronze, 60 x 36 x 70 inches, Collection of The Seward Johnson Atelier, © 2020, The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., and A Turn of the Century, 2003, Styrofoam, 252 x 168 x 168 inches, Collection of The Seward Johnson Atelier, © 2003, The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
Photo of the Pincic/Party
Seward Johnson, Were You Invited?, 2001, bronze and aluminum, 132 x 312 x 156 inches, Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier, © 2001, The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
Photo of the sculpture in the lake in front of the building.
Horace Farlowe, Portal Rest, 1999, white Danby marble, 12 x 15 x 20 feet, Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier, © Artist or Artist’s Estate
Photo of the Silver Robed Figure
Seward Johnson, King Lear, 2009, cupronickel, 240 x 120 x 96 inches, Collection of The Seward Johnson Atelier, © 2009, The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc
Photo of the Men in Line
Grounds For Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier
© 2019 The George and Helen Segal Foundation/Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY, photo: David W. Steele
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