By Doug Sitler
The Griffis Sculpture Park has been capturing the imagination of visitors and artists for 55 years. There are over 250 sculptures created by Griffis and international artists, placed in the fields, forests, and ponds, in the 450-acre park located just 15 minutes outside of Ellicottville. The park is enjoyed by over 40,000 visitors each year and is believed to be the largest sculpture park in the United States.
Here are a few fun facts about the sculpture park that some people might not know.
The park’s creator, Larry Griffis, Jr. was a World War II veteran and successful businessman. Griffis, who passed away in February 2000, fought in World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge. He was always an artist, even during the war. An ambulance would carry his art supplies, so Griffis could create paintings during some downtime. After the war, Griffis and his cousin owned and operated a women’s nylon manufacturing facility in Buffalo. He would run the business during the day and come home and be an artist at night. At the urging of his father, Griffis was encouraged to choose being a business owner or an artist. Griffis sold his share of the business, packed up his wife and five kids and went to Italy to study art and sculpture. The rest they say, is history.
The park was originally located at nearby Kissing Bridge Ski Resort. For three years in the mid-1960s, Griffis’ sculptures were placed on the hillsides of the ski resort. Visitors would either take the chair lift or hike up the hills to view the artwork. After a few years, Griffis knew that he wanted to find a location that exclusively showcased his massive sculptures. Before settling in on the Rohr Hill Road location in Ashford Hollow, Griffis reviewed several possible locations to host the park – including the property that now is the home of Artpark in Lewiston. The Griffis Sculpture Park made its debut in Ashford Hollow in the autumn of 1968.
The sculpture park is located in two townships. The sculpture park is made up of two locations, which are 1.5 miles apart. The original Rohr Hill Road site is located in Ashford Hollow. The Mill Valley Road site was created in the late 1970s and is located in East Otto.
Yes, you can touch the art! Think of the Griffis Sculpture Park as an outdoor art gallery. However, unlike most art galleries, visitors can touch the art, or in some instances, climb on top or inside the artwork. While Griffis was in Italy, he had an idea. He was watching his children climb and play on the ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s villa and saw how happy and engaged his children were. This planted the seed to create an arts location where people could experience art, including touching and climbing on pieces.
Built to last. Griffis’ built about 50 percent of the 250 sculptures that are displayed in the park. Many of them have resided in the same spot for 55 years. Some of the sculptures are 25 feet high and weigh almost three tons. The sculptures were made of steel manufactured at Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna. Creating and forming the sculptures out of steel, made it a long and arduous process for each sculpture. The fact that the sculptures still stand tall and proud to this day, is a testament to Griffis’ foresight and resolve.