Sculpture parks are a great way to see art during a pandemic

Published by The Washington Post
By Sebastian Smee, Art Critic

Here’s why some are better than others. I’m not the first person to have divined that sculpture parks provide the safest way to enjoy art during a pandemic. Options abound, especially in the Washington region. Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Md., which has a lot of outdoor art in a stunning setting, is closed until March 4. But the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden is still open, and the National Gallery’s sculpture garden is reopening on Valentine’s Day.

Getting out of the city, though, is even better — ideally, as far from home as possible. On a recent road trip, I explored two sculpture parks over two days and have formed the considered opinion that there are at least two kinds of sculpture park. What’s more, I prefer the first kind.

 

The first kind, in this case, is not officially a “sculpture park.” It is the campus of the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass.