Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Those of you who have been reading and following over the years know that we love our little excursions. Ever since the children were little we've sought out opportunities that are engaging, culturally, intellectually and physically stimulating. Perhaps a reflection of how my ex husband and I were both raised, perhaps born of a dire need to get everyone up and out of the house, we always carved out time for these outings, even during those years when the kids were in the thick of sports. These outings are important to me, especially as the children get older and their time together - our time together as a family - is fleeting. They have much to gain from these little adventures, as do I. I can't always give the children what they want, but I can give them memorable experiences and knowledge that they will always have and help to make them the well rounded young adults I hope they become.

As my daughter heads off to college next fall and as my older two seem to be butting heads more than they get along these days, these excursions, unite us all, even if temporarily. And maybe there were a bunch of Pokemon Go characters throughout the magnificent property, and maybe I could have told them all to put away their phones, but at once my older two bonded as in between the magnificent sculptures, they worked together to capture and collect (or whatever it is that they do) all the imaginary characters. To see them have fun and laugh together, that might have been the most priceless of all! 

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

About the Storm King Art Center

Widely celebrated as one of the world’s leading sculpture parks, the Storm King Art Center has welcomed visitors from across the globe for fifty years. Just an hour north of New York City, in the lower Hudson Valley, Storm King is home to more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time, situated 500 meticulously landscaped fields, hills, and woodlands. For those of you who may be unaware, a sculpture garden (or sculpture park) is an outdoor garden dedicated entirely to the presentation of sculpture in durable materials in landscaped surroundings. They can vary in size and setting. 

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Storm King was founded in 1960. The first statues were located in a formal garden just outside the museum itself, a 1035 Normandy-style residence that built from stone that had been salvaged from a nearby mansion. Twelve years later saw the beginnings of their permanent large scale sculpture collection, including commissioned and site-specific pieces. In addition to the regular collection there are special exhibitions. 

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

One doesn't need to be an art connoisseur to recognize many of the names associated with the park's permanent collection. Works by such revered artists and modern and contemporary artists as Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson, RoyLichtenstein, Sol LeWitt, Maya Lin, Robert Grosvenor, Andy Goldsworthy and Mark Di Suvero to name just a few. 

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

This year The Storm King Art Center presents Dennis Oppenheim: Terrestrial Studio, an exhibition featuring outdoor and indoor sculpture, installation, sound, film, and photography as well as two major earthworks conceived by the artist, but never fully realized in his lifetime. The exhibition was organized in close collaboration with the Dennis Oppenheim Estate and include works on loan and in Storm King’s collection. 

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Additionally, In the North Woods, Storm King’s own Architectural Cactus #6 (2009) is joined by Architectural Cactus #1 through Architectural Cactus #5 creating a colorful and whimsical Cactus Grove. 

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Located just an hour outside of New York City (and an hour and a half from Fairfield, Connecticut) the ride, over the Hudson River, up over the Mountains looking down into the valleys is magnificent, it's beauty rivaled only by the fiery hues of the changing leaves at their peak in the late fall. Because the property is so vast, seeing everything on site is virtually impossible. As you enter the premises you'll be handed a map - don't forget yours in the car as we did! There is a tram and do take advantage of this wonderful feature at the end of your visit to enjoy a guided tour in comfort. Bicycles are available for rent (you're not allowed to bring your own) as well. I'd love to return in the fall, rent a couple of bicycles and pack a picnic and enjoy the breathtaking views all around. 

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Suggestions for Touring the Storm King Art Center

  • Dress comfortably, for the weather.
  • Wear comfortable and sensible walking shoes. I cannot stress this enough
  • In summertime wear and bring sunscreen
  • Bring sunglasses
  • Bring lots of water, especially when the weather is hot (Water is also available for purchase at the bottom of the Observation tower.)
  • Consider packing a picnic
  • Consider renting bikes
  • Take a tour on the tram!
Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

Discovering the Hudson Valley area :: Storm King Art Center - All images property of Jessica Gordon Ryan/The Entertaining House

For more on the Storm King Art Center visit their website
1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY 12553
845-534-3115.