Vermont sculpture artist featured at Berkshire Botanical Garden
Large vessels, some weighing up to 250 pounds and standing as tall as 5 feet, are interspersed throughout the gardens.
“Grand Gesture: Monumental Vessels in the Garden,” an exhibition at Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, will feature sculptures of Vermont-based ceramicist Stephen Procter. Placed throughout the garden, Procter’s works turn simple materials into forms that feel both grounded and expressive. The exhibition runs from Saturday, May 16, through October. A public reception will be held on Friday, May 15, from 5 to 7 pm. Garden hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Procter’s large vessels, some weighing up to 250 pounds and standing as tall as 5 feet, are monumental and approachable, inviting reflection and a personal response. As physical objects, they draw the eye and shape the spaces around them; as sculptures, they carry a calm, steady presence. Set within the changing environment of the garden, the works shift over time; surfaces reflect light, become a backdrop for shadows, and take on a patina of moss over time.
In addition to the outdoor installation, smaller, classically inspired works by Procter will be on view in the Leonhardt Galleries.
Berkshire Botanical Garden was established in 1934 as the Berkshire Garden Center and is one of the oldest public display gardens in the Northeast. This not-for-profit, membership-supported educational organization encompasses 24 acres. Open year-round for classes, lectures, workshops, and exhibitions, the garden welcomes visitors to its display gardens daily from early April through October 31, 9 am to 5 pm. Its mission is to provide information, education, and inspiration concerning the science, art, and joy of gardening, and its vital role in preserving the environment. For more information go to BerkshireBotanical.org.
