Art and sculpture form a major part of the experience at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Dotted across the landscape and focused in the Harrison Sculpture Garden, the Arboretum’s collection of outdoor art and sculpture lends visitors new ways of viewing their surroundings. The art imparts historical and cultural knowledge and activates the landscape, drawing art enthusiasts into nature and inspiring nature lovers to discover an unexpected connection to art.
The many art and sculpture pieces found across the Arboretum’s landscape take on distinct visual forms throughout the year as they reflect the seasonal transformations within the Arboretum’s gardens and natural landscapes. Summer provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to get out into the gardens and explore the art!
Beginning June 5 and running through Aug. 30, the Arboretum will be hosting one-hour Art Tours at the Harrison Sculpture Garden and around the Oswald Visitor Center and Snyder Building. The tours will be offered every Thursday and Saturday with two time slots available each day, beginning with the Harrison Sculpture Garden tour at 11:30 a.m. and the tour surrounding the Visitor Center and Snyder Building at 1:30 p.m.
Tours are led by expert volunteer storytellers, who will immerse visitors in the rich visual landscape as they explore a variety of art pieces. Tours might include a stop to view the bold, geometric Clarencetown Light sculpture by John Raymond Henry outside the Visitor Center, or lead behind the Snyder Building to view Paul Granlund’s bronze pieces and encounter the quiet calm of the St. Francis of Assisi sculpture by Douglas Freeman on the Lilac Walk.
“Clarencetown Light” by John Raymond Henry
The Harrison Sculpture Garden, located along Three-Mile Drive on 3 acres of rolling hills surrounding the Arboretum’s high point, features 26 pieces of art from 11 countries around the world. The works form colorful visions of steel, stone and aluminium weaving in and out of the contour of the landscape, each surrounded by a plants carefully selected to enhance the artwork. Some of the works of art that visitors will enjoy include pieces by the British-born Barbara Hepworth, Swiss Rene Küng and American Craig Dan Goseyun!
“Gahn Dancer II, Apache Mountain Spirit Dancer” by Craig Dan Goseyun. Photo by Phil Zumsteg
The tours around the Visitor Center and Snyder Building are within walking distance of the buildings. For tours at the Harrison Sculpture Garden, visitors are welcome to head over from the Visitor Center via the approximately 1.2-mile walk or drive and park at the sculpture garden.
Tours are included with Arboretum admission and no advance registration is required. Visitors should bring a sense of curiosity, an attuned visual lens and a water bottle.
Cover photo of the Harrison Sculpture Garden by Jason Boudreau-Landis
The Arboretum is home to three indoor gallery spaces featuring rotating exhibitions of nature-based art plus numerous works of art and sculpture found across the grounds and in the Harrison Sculpture Garden, home of the Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk. Learn more about Art at the Arboretum and explore upcoming exhibitions.