HARP OF DAVID #1: This work by Dina Wind is featured at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, which has merged with the Johnson Atelier.  (Photo: by Ken Ek)

Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Johnson Atelier in Hamilton have announced that the institutions will officially operate as one unified body, forming a  new catalyst for the production, conservation, and exhibition of large-scale, high-caliber contemporary sculpture and art experiences.

GFS will assume management and operations of Johnson Atelier and its state of the art modeling, scanning, milling, painting, and finishing capabilities, along with its assets including the seven-acre Meadow; the physical plant that houses the Johnson Atelier; the Motor Exhibits Building, which currently houses studios for 25 artists; and apartments for guest artists.

According to a press release, this union cements artist and founder Seward Johnson’s legacy, and his vision for GFS and Johnson Atelier to work as one. With these institutions operating under one organization, GFS is set to usher in a new era of artistic synergy, and expanding impact, recognition, and artist support on a global scale.

What’s more, this strategic integration represents an enterprising business model: a nonprofit sculpture park operating a revenue-generating sculpture fabrication business. GFS can expand its ability to produce work that can be exhibited on its own campus and facilitate the production of work for venues around the world, allowing the organization to go beyond its gates and deliver on its mission to make sculpture and public art broadly accessible.

“Seward Johnson desired to make the impossible possible while working outside of the confines of traditional art systems and structures,” said Eric B. Ryan, president, Grounds For Sculpture Board of Trustees. “What Seward built in his lifetime was meant to be flexible and responsive to changing needs and cultural shifts in the world at large. This forward-looking spirit has allowed his contributions to evolve over time, remaining relevant to contemporary audiences and creators; and it has led us to where we are today with this merger.”

Rooted in Johnson’s radical approach to discovery and making the arts available to all, GFS and Johnson Atelier have given artists unprecedented access to tools for sculpture production, inviting the public to engage with contemporary sculpture collections and exhibitions for half a century. Founded in 1974 to help sculptors retain control over their artwork, and to open access to previously guarded information on production techniques, Johnson Atelier is an incubator for artists from across the globe to grow their practices freely through collaboration, and with innovative production techniques and technology. Over the last five decades, apprentices have had the opportunity to hone their skills while working with established artists including Georgia O’Keeffe, George Segal, Michele Oka Doner, William King, Marisol, Red Grooms, Toshiko Takaezu, and Joel Shapiro.

With an eye on expansion, Johnson envisioned GFS as a place to show the work of the Atelier’s clients, and where visitors could delight in discovering contemporary sculpture and immersive art experiences. Founded in 1992, the sculpture park encompasses 42 acres of gardens surrounding indoor and outdoor galleries for internationally renowned artists to showcase their work to audiences near and far. More than 700 artists have had their work on view at GFS and the collection currently contains over 500 pieces of art by 240 artists including Johson’s own works, along with those by Anthony Caro, Willie Cole, Masayuki Koorida, Tallur L.N., Jae Ko, Roberto Lugo, Clement Meadmore, and Joyce J. Scott.

Over 40 percent of the artwork on view at GFS has been produced at Johnson Atelier by artists ranging from Magdalena Abakanowicz, Beverly Pepper, George Segal, Kiki Smith, Michele Oka Donor, Tom Otterness, Roberto Lugo, and a rare work in bronze by Marisol.

“This integration allows for Johnson Atelier to more effectively cultivate relationships with artists who can add to the permanent collection of Grounds For Sculpture; and it better positions Grounds For Sculpture to feed Johnson Atelier’s project pipeline with artist residencies and off-campus programming that increase the artists’ — and Grounds For Sculpture’s — reach with global audiences,” said Gary Garrido Schneider, executive director, Grounds For Sculpture.

“This unification of Grounds For Sculpture and Johnson Atelier is just as much a win for artists and the contemporary arts industry as it is for the members and visitors who will benefit from an enhanced cultural experience, with more opportunities to engage with internationally renowned artists and their process,” said Kathleen Greene, chief audience officer, Grounds For Sculpture.

For more information, visit groundsforsculpture.org.