Photography and Text by Tony Ward, Copyright 2022
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Seward Johnson Atelier: Grounds For Sculpture
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I had long heard positive reviews about this place over the years from various artist friends. I was told it was a must see but like many things in life, visiting this unique place was put on the back burner. A few days ago, I finally cleared my schedule to visit Seward Johnson’s atelier, Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey. I took Route 1 North for about a 40 minute drive from my studio and then headed over the Trenton Morrisville Toll Bridge to cross the Delaware River into Trenton. It took another 10 minute drive or so to navigate through low income housing and a variety of industrial small businesses before I arrived at what at first glance seemed to be a pretty nondescript place. Behind the security checkpoint where I had to present my timed admission receipt, a fee to enter the grounds for $15.00 (senior citizen discount). I was excited to see what my artist friends were talking about. I wasn’t disappointed. Actually it was much more than I expected, especially the landscaping, not to mention the approximately 300 sculpted modernest art works that were carefully curated to attract visitors from around the world.
On 42 acres of land that was once the New Jersey State Fairgrounds, Johnson put some of the millions he had invested as an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical family fortune towards building a place where he envisioned sculptors could work and be showcased, including his own work that is nestled into a perfectly manicured horticultural and large scale sculptural paradise. Seward Johnson became known in the art world for his life sized depictions of people in everyday life tableaux. My favorite Johnson’s piece is a marvelous, fanciful recreation of Grant Wood’s American Gothic painting from 1930. When I approached the mammoth 30 foot portrait of the iconic midwestern farmers, it took my breath away. It was like a set from Disney, crafted to perfection. There are lots of nooks and crannies like this where you come across large scale contemporary sculptures constructed in metal, stone, wood, plastic and a variety of other materials represented by artists from all over the world. Some of the works that you see there were commissioned by Johnson’s foundation and are site specific. This is the type of place you need to visit more than once to take in the breadth and nuance of this most charming environment to enjoy art. I am already making plans for a return visit at night when many of the installations are lighted for evening visits. This is a great place to take a date!
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