Last week an old friend and I went to back to visit Griffis Sculpture Park in Cattaraugus County, New York. I was there almost ten years ago. There were many new sculptures, or perhaps I had forgotten much.
It’s way out in the boonies. Here is a map:
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The park now has its own web site. The site just got “upgraded” in July, it seems, and sadly, most of the content of the sculptures is now gone (or not there yet) so it’s of little use other than for promotional purposes.
Many years ago a sculptor started placing his metal statues in the woods. There are many acres of terrain, and as you walk the hiking paths, you’ll encounter a giant spider with ten foot long legs, a life size giraffe, all manner of animals, but also humanoid figures of giant size. There are surprises everywhere, and I am sure I have not seen 10 percent of all the sculptures.
Being an artist myself, I admire the founder and his successors. This is how art should be done. If your art are giant metal sculptures weighing thousands of pounds, this is the gallery to display them.
Here I am, posing with one of the statues right by one of the main roads into the park:
And here looking through the belly of another one:
- Norbert Through the Belly
If you find yourself in Western New York with a few hours of extra time, visit Griffis. Chances are you are the only one there, you get in a nice walk and you leave inspired.