Carol Fisher-Linn
The History & Wonderment of Griffis Sculpture Park… The first and one of the largest sculpture parks in the United States.
Griffis Sculpture Park in Ashford, NY is not the only, nor is it the largest (although close) sculpture park in the United States. It was, however, the first of its kind. It was Europe and a trip to Italy that inspired artist and creator Larry Griffis, Jr. (1924-2000) to bring to Western New York a place that kids can climb on his creations much like the European kids climbed all over old Roman ruins. Starting at Colden’s Kissing Bridge Ski Resort, after two years (1968) Griffis bought property and moved the existing installation to Ashford Hollow. One of the oldest sculpture parks in America, a visitor can observe and climb upon over 250 sculptures scattered over hill and dale – 425 acres of it.
At first glance, it’s like a Wonderland, with so much to physically see and do, from hiking the terrain or climbing to the back of a giant spider for an unusual photo-op. But here’s the deeper part that involves the “Art” of it. René Magritte, creator of some of the world’s most enigmatic paintings once wrote this … “Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist.” In today’s world, or any time in our lives, we become immersed into the daily realities (or unrealities) fed to us through the ubiquitous social media. There is truly no escaping it, unless we make the conscious effort to unplug … unhear … and unwind, while opening up to the mystery and beauty surrounding us. We, in the area are so fortunate that Griffis Park affords visitors that rare opportunity giving us a chance to allow fantasy art to fill the space between our daily chaos and clamor and the peace and insight delivered by the infinite. And remember, this opens dialogue opportunities with kids as they scramble around and play pirate or hunter, helping to broaden their horizons beyond the obvious.
Griffis was a privately tutored (in art) wealthy kid of a women’s wear manufacturing executive. It was likely that background which inspired him to begin his own hosiery business while sitting in a foxhole in the Ardennes Forest during the Battle of the Bulge (he earned a Bronze Star). Larry and his brother Jack Griffis filled the shortage of war-time nylon by creating, owning and operating Fantashere, a Western New York women’s hosiery business. Fantashere became a successful endeavor but he still followed his yearning for art at night, eventually selling the business and devoting his time to art. His greater war was for the recognition of local artists. It was only through great effort and persistence against the stodgy establishment that his works “Sprit of Womanhood” on the Scajaquada Expressway and “Birds Excited into Flight” on Bidwell Parkway, both in Buffalo, were finally erected.
The 14’, 30×20 pond will need emptying and dredging to accommodate the
solid placement of cement platforms and stainless steel structures to hold the
“Bathers” in place, hopefully, according to Nila Griffi s Lampman, Executive
Director of the Ashford Hollow Foundation (and granddaughter of Larry Griffi s,
Jr.) “to have them live there for the next 100 years.” The fun part is realizing
that when placed, they appear to be different sculptures; they are in fact all the
same but are artistically situated in varying poses to make them appear different.
There’s the art.
Griffis Sculpture Park was created for the purpose of showcasing his own work and that of local, national and international artists. In 1969 Griffis and his brother founded the Essex Arts Center in Buffalo – formerly a sprawling ice-packing factory. This space could finally provide studio and gallery spaces to support local artists. The Essex also provides the space needed for their ongoing project of rehabbing the ten, twelve-foot, 600-pound metal “Bathers” which graced the pond at the Sculpture Park for 57 years. Most were removed to the Essex Center for TLC replacement of a few missing limbs and smoothing of some chinks. Artists at the Essex are fast at work bringing them back to their original glory. The 14’, 30×20 pond will need emptying and dredging to accommodate the solid placement of cement platforms and stainless steel structures to hold the “Bathers” in place, hopefully, according to Nila Griffis Lampman, Executive Director of the Ashford Hollow Foundation (and granddaughter of Larry Griffis, Jr.) “to have them live there for the next 100 years.” The fun part is realizing that when placed, they appear to be different sculptures; they are in fact all the same but are artistically situated in varying poses to make them appear different. There’s the art.
This endeavor is being supported by your donations. The goal is $65,000 – they are still $13,000 short. Your support will continue the sculpture conservation, site preparation and ongoing maintenance. Support the return of the “Bathers” by donating to Griffis Sculpture Park online (grifissculpturepark.org) or mail a check to Ashford Hollow Foundation, 28 Essex Street, Buffalo, Y. 14213. Your generosity will be appreciated for years to come.
The park is open from dawn until dusk until Halloween. They ask for donations: $5 for adults and $3 for children. For special concerts or events, go online to Eventbrite, Ashford Hollow Foundation. The park is located in East Otto, NY.