Grounds For Sculpture Photography Exhibit at Capital Health System, Hopewell
One month remains to see botanical samples and photography from the park

Hamilton, NJ (August 26, 2021) – The Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) exhibition entitled Along the Way, composed of plant specimens and photographs from the park, installed at Capital Health Hopewell in the Investors Bank Art and Healing Gallery, closes soon. Curated by a cross department team at GFS, the exhibition showcases the park through the seasons and encourages visitors to slow down and benefit from the work on display. The goal of the project is to uplift and bring joy to hospital visitors and employees by mirroring the wellness benefits of visiting GFS, through images and actual plant clippings. The exhibition ends on September 18th.

Pressed plants were carefully chosen by GFS Horticulturist, Janis Napoli. Prompts featured help viewers connect with various sculptures located at GFS through the photographs. Julio Enrique Badel, Manager of Experiential Programs, explained “Our goal was to convey the experience of GFS by showing what makes visiting the grounds unique and engaging. We selected and grouped photos related to large scale sculpture, people interacting with artwork, the passing of the seasons, and horticulture-focused landscapes contrasted with close-up images. Questions posed to the viewer encourage closer looking and reflection, probing at deeper meanings behind the images. GFS encourages an open-ended form of discovery and curiosity when exploring art and nature.”

The physical space where the gallery sits benefits from natural light which further enhances the calming atmosphere. “During the installation, Capital Health employees approached us to share personal stories of gatherings at GFS. Seeing the images also reminded them how close and accessible this hidden gem is to them,” said Tracy Lee, GFS Assistant Preparator.

The intersection of art and nature is at the core of the GFS mission and reflects how the role of museums is evolving to play a significant part in the wellbeing of the community. The arts resonate deeply with the human experience and are saturated with the potential to promote healing and wellness, not only in hospitals and other healthcare facilities but also within the fabric of our communities. GFS has seen considerable demand from guests for programming that connects wellbeing with art and nature since the park began to offer wellness-focused programs nearly 10 years ago.

The importance of healing and art has always been considered important within the Capital Health system. From the initial planning of the facility and throughout the construction, art was intentionally incorporated into the design of the Hopewell hospital. At the time, art consultant, Lin Swenson, advised and led a plan for the design and acquisition of the thoughtful integration of art in a variety of forms using mainly community artists. Art has been created and installed thoughtfully under the advisement of a community arts committee, including staff from the Seward Johnson Atelier. In addition, elements of the former Mercer Hospital in Trenton including architectural elements, photographs, and equipment were also incorporated into five historical artistic design presentations. Artists including Judith Brodsky, Michael Graves, and Thom Montanari created beautiful pieces within the facility. More than 20 community artists participated in a collaborative project that created more than 400 pieces for patient rooms. Art is often incorporated into care plans at Capital Health.

“Our art gallery at Capital Health allows us to help heal our patients, families, and communities outside of just their physical and mental health, it provides support for emotional wellbeing. The space allows anyone from patients to staff members to take a moment to themselves. It allows for a few moments of peace and tranquility,” shared Lyndsie Moran, System Manager, Patient Experience at Capital Health. “During the global pandemic, art and nature have become even more important as beacons of restoration and healing.” said Gina Petrone Mumolie, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Sr. VP of Hospital Administration. “This wonderful art show beckons viewers to enjoy the beauty at Grounds For Sculpture,” she added. “The uniquely displayed dried floral arrangements and photography of people enjoying the vibrancy of GFS encourage relaxation for those at the hospital and also urges viewers to visit GFS for more.”

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Grounds For Sculpture Announces Two-Year Commission Series with Klip Collective
Immersive Light and Sound Exhibitions Will Activate the Sculpture Park during Winter Evenings

Hamilton, NJ – August 3, 2021 – Grounds For Sculpture today announces a two-year partnership with Klip Collective to present a distinctive after-hours multisensory experience. The Night Forms series will directly interact with a selection of contemporary artworks and signature horticultural features across the park’s 42 acres, furthering the nonprofit’s commitment to creating unique experiences bringing art and nature together. On view November 26, 2021 through February 27, 2022, the first commission, titled Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective, presents more than a dozen site-specific light and sound works. The innovative and immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to visit the park both at night and during the winter.

“Grounds For Sculpture continuously surprises and delights visitors through the interaction of art and the environment, and by design is an experience that changes seasonally. Through this newly commissioned series, we are intentionally experimenting with the possibilities of a nightscape,” said Gary Garrido Schneider, Executive Director of Grounds For Sculpture. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Klip Collective to bring their vision to life on our grounds and create a unique response to our art that delivers an entirely transformed atmosphere.”

As immersive art gains popularity across the country, Night Forms brings this progressive movement to a new environment. Illuminating the park with projection mapping and lighting to a special choreographed soundtrack, Klip Collective creates a dialogue with the sculptures in the park. Expanding the viewing plane from the earth to the sky, Night Forms merges order and chaos to create a shared experience that heightens the senses. Like the natural environment itself, the installation changes throughout the course of its run and even the course of an evening. Visitors actively participate in the multisensory presentation as they move through the park. By creating a unique experience specific to Grounds For Sculpture, Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective is a totally bespoke event that can only be seen and heard this year at the sculpture park.

Ricardo Rivera, creative director and founder of Klip Collective, is a site-specific media artist and pioneer of projection mapping. Rivera has directed several ambient light and sound experiences, including Nightscape at Longwood Gardens and Electric Desertat the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. As a Sundance Story Lab fellow and Creative Capital award recipient, Rivera applies his theater and film background in the transformation of spaces, layering architecture and filling landscapes with light and sound, resulting in immersive, sensory environments.

Tickets to Grounds For Sculpture’s Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective will go on sale to Grounds For Sculpture members on August 16, 2021 and open to the public on September 9, 2021. For more information, please visit groundsforsculpture.org.

Grounds For Sculpture thanks lead sponsor Bank of America for their generous support of Night Forms, including underwriting free admission for nonprofit community partners. Alberto Garofalo, Bank of America New Jersey Market President, said, “Bank of America is pleased to support the production of Night Forms and to offer members of the community the opportunity to attend without ticket price being a barrier. Providing equitable access to this exhibition is important to both Grounds For Sculpture and Bank of America as both organizations work to make a positive impact on our community.”

Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective is supported by lead sponsor Bank of America and the following Exhibition Supporters: Bloomberg Philanthropies; Capital Health System; Geoscape; NRG; the Atlantic Foundation; the Johnson Art and Education Foundation; the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

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Grounds For Sculpture Announces New Leadership Appointments, Strengthening the Sculpture Park, Arboretum, and Museum’s Commitment to the Visitor Experience and Engagement of Contemporary Artists
Kathleen Greene Named to the Newly Created Position of Chief Audience Officer as Marissa Reibstein Activates New Role of Chief Development Officer 

Hamilton, NJ – July 12, 2021 – Grounds For Sculpture today announced that it has appointed Kathleen Greene to the newly created position of Chief Audience Officer (CAO) and Marissa Reibstein to Chief Development Officer (CDO), strengthening its senior leadership team as the nonprofit builds on its mission to facilitate meaningful and accessible encounters with art and nature; support the work of leading contemporary sculptors; and serve as a vital hub for diverse communities within the tri-state region and beyond. Greene begins her role with Grounds For Sculpture as CAO on July 12, 2021 and Marissa stepped into her position as CDO on March 1, 2021. 

“Kathleen and Marissa bring decades of experience in innovative audience building through program creation, curatorial, and development work to Grounds For Sculpture, enhancing our ability to create impactful and equitable experiences for our visitors,” said Gary Garrido Schneider, Executive Director of Grounds For Sculpture. “As we build on the strong foundation created by our founder and approach our thirty-year anniversary in 2022, we are solidifying our standing as an independent organization with the addition of these two experienced leaders.” 

As CAO—a new role designed to build audience diversity and engagement—Greene will be responsible for leading the Curatorial, Educational, and Marketing teams in the development of innovative, cross-disciplinary, and audience-centric exhibitions and programs that forge meaningful connections between visitors and living artists and creators, as well as art and horticulture. Bringing over two decades of experience in building audiences through program creation and strategic partnerships, education, and curation to the sculpture park, museum, and arboretum, Greene was most recently the Curator of Public Programs at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, where she worked across the institution to sustain partnerships and grow program audiences to reflect the diversity of the Philadelphia region. Prior to joining the Barnes in 2012, Greene held leadership positions in the programming and education departments at Fleisher Art Memorial and Mural Arts Philadelphia. 

“Grounds For Sculpture is renowned for creating a dynamic and surprising experience for its visitors and for providing a critical space to reconnect with nature. Now more than ever, the winding pathways, interactive sculptures, and beautiful landscape are a beacon, gathering visitors of all ages across our diverse surrounding communities,” said newly appointed Chief Audience Officer Kathleen Greene. “Under Gary’s leadership, GFS has grown its audience by 50% and I am thrilled to partner with him to continue this trend of audience growth while expanding and deepening our reach to regional cultural producers, creatives, and organizations.” 

As CDO, Reibstein is responsible for overseeing all functions of fundraising, including individual major and principal gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned gifts, annual fund and membership programs, and special fundraising events. Prior to joining Grounds For Sculpture, Reibstein was the Director of Development, Board Engagement & Special Events for the 92nd Street Y in New York City. During her 13-year tenure, she served as a key relationship builder and fundraiser with Board members and major donors, created an innovative and prominent junior board, as well as led the overall strategy and execution of all fundraising events for this esteemed institution. Reibstein brings nearly two decades of diverse experience in the nonprofit sector to the cultural institution, including programming and development positions at the American Cancer Society and Facing History and Ourselves. 

“This is an exciting and pivotal time to join Grounds For Sculpture. Coming out of the pandemic and amidst a significant transformation, our mission is ever more critical and our need for support has never been greater,” said Chief Development Officer Marissa Reibstein. “Grounds For Sculpture is an incredible place that truly elevates humanity, through the connections we make with art, nature, one another, and ultimately with ourselves. I am thrilled and honored to be part of this community and look forward to scaling our development efforts so that the park is accessible to all, for generations to come.” 

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