Blackfriars Settlement’s Post

beautiful and inspiring. Art is a universal expression.

Whether it’s the towering size of the sculptures or their fantastical subjects like witches and sea monsters, it’s hard to find a visitor at Grounds for Sculpture without a smile on their face. This sprawling art park in Hamilton Township is unlike any you’ve ever been to. There is a theme park quality to the experience and that is not meant to diminish the importance of the works found within. The park has somehow managed to make art-viewing a family-friendly activity. One reason why young people respond to the sculptures is because it’s one of the rare places where you can get right up close to them, touch them, and in some cases, such as Roberto Lugo’s Put Yourself in the Picture, climb on top of them. Everything you might need — food, snacks, coffee, even cocktails — is found here, making it easy to take your time. It is the sort of place that rewards exploration. Not all the artworks are found along the walking paths. Some are in little clearings or down side-alleys and other works can only be spied while looking in unexpected places. Grounds for Sculpture is easily accessible via public transportation. Take the Northeast Corridor train from Newark Penn Station to Hamilton Station (one stop after Princeton Junction). Right outside the station hall on the northbound side is a bus stop for #608. From there, it’s a five-minute bus ride to the park. #groundsforsculpture #hamiltontownship #ratsrestaurant

Artists, creators, designers are often trained to think that form must follow function. This year, I participated in a gallery showing benefitting the local non-profit, Raksha Inc. with two mixed media pieces. As I created the pieces, I reflected on the form <=> function dialog. Since this piece uses ceramic bowls (that I had made early on) I asked of myself, what is the purpose of a bowl? >> Is it to cradle food? >> Is it to offer comfort and care? >> Is it an invitation for sharing? >> Is it to tell a story? And if so, whose? 'Hungry Unseen Legacies' is looking for a new home. https://lnkd.in/eXGV8N6t My second piece: Rough Draft / Speechless is sold.

Landscape paintings are windows to nature's beauty, immortalizing scenes that may fade with time. They stir emotions, evoke memories, and deepen our bond with the natural world, nurturing a reverence for our environment. Reflecting cultural, historical, and personal perspectives, they invite us to explore diverse experiences and interpretations of our surroundings. Discover how Agora artists like Rebecca Stenn, Yu He, Paul Blumenthal, and Claudia de la Hoz reimagine traditional landscapes in this insightful article

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🍫 In the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, also known as the Chocolate Arcade in Brussels, a sculpture of a man with a big question mark over his head caught my attention. ❓ There are actually many different versions of the same sculpture, but I think the selectivity in perception and the question mark itself interested me more. Just like the statue, question marks are above our heads. It is up to us to get rid of them, otherwise they will weigh us down just like the statue. ❌ Some we can reduce by planning, some by making radical decisions, some by taking action, some by deciding that they are no longer important to us. ❓What is your biggest question mark? I wish you a wonderful week free of question marks! #personaldevelopment #mindset #strategicdecisions

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An exhibition of De László's work is coming to the refurbished and expanded Gainsborough's House in the spring and early summer. This is exciting, not only because of the flair and skill of his portraits, but for his choice of frames. They were very important to him as part of the complete work of art, and sometimes betray, through colour marks at the sight edge, the fact that he almost invariably finished each painting in its frame, in order to bring the whole thing into harmony. If you would like to know more about this side to his work, there's a piece here: https://lnkd.in/eHN-zpem

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This quote is a testament to the courage required to pursue one's artistic vision! . To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage. . It requires us to face our fears, push beyond our limits, and challenge the conventions of society. . Whether we're painting a bold canvas, writing a daring novel, or composing a revolutionary symphony, the art we create demands that we be true to ourselves, follow our hearts, and forge our own path. . It may not always be easy, but the rewards are immense: the joy of self-expression, the satisfaction of creating something unique, and the pride of leaving our mark on the world. . #ArtForCourage #DesignForBoldness #BringingRoomsToLife #ArtThatSpeaks #DesignForHome #ArtThatRevolutionizes #DesignWithIntention #PersonalizedSpaces #DesignWithSoul #AddingSoulToSpaces #WallArtForAll #TransformingSpaces #CreatingAMood #DesignForMeaning #EnrichingLives #DesignForBeauty #CreatingAMeaningfulSpace #ReflectingYourCourage #VisualExpression #wallart #wallartdecor #wallartwork #wallartprint