Mini-Flood 43: Laumeier Sculpture Park

photograph by Michelle Bates

One of the country’s preeminent outdoor sculpture parks, Laumeier Sculpture Park is 105 undulating acres filled with an exciting collection of three-dimensional work, four trails, and a state-of-the-art visitor’s center.

photograph by Jeff Phillips

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Diane Cannon Piwowarczyk

photograph by Allen Casey

photograph by Katherine Loida

In 1963, Matilda Laumeier set aside the first land for the future park, a place characterized for its beautiful rolling hills and lush forest. In the late seventies, Ernest Trova (an internationally recognized artist who remained devoted to his hometown in St. Louis) donated 40 or so of his original works to help build the collection of Laumeier and bring it some reputation. The Park responded in favor by providing a loving setting for Trova’s works throughout the grounds (“Trova Woods” is currently de-installed, but other works remain on display).

photograph by Diane Cannon Piwowarczyk

photograph by Jeff Phillips

photograph by Michelle Bates

photograph by Diana Gray

Since those early days, Laumeier Sculpture Park has transitioned into a leading outdoor museum for contemporary sculpture. Somewhat surprisingly, many St. Louisans still fail to appreciate its significance, especially given the free admission, scale of the park and scope of the collection, but this is changing.

photograph by Ann Aurbach

photograph by Diana Gray

photograph by Jeff Phillips

The Park recently unveiled the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Center, a $4 million dollar expansion project which will house a dynamic schedule of rotating indoor art exhibits. Likewise, the expansion enables the former exhibition space in the older, main building to fulfill the organization’s mission regarding art education. Combined with the Site’s annual art fair, artist-in-residence program, art camps and more, Laumeier Sculpture Park is primed to make an even bigger impact of arts and culture in St. Louis.

photograph by Shelley Cendroski

photograph by Shelley Cendroski

photograph by Jeff Phillips

photograph by Diane Cannon Piwowarczyk

If you haven’t visited Laumeier Sculpture Park, or haven’t been in a long while, now is the time. With the weather warming and all of the Park’s facilities in operation, there is no doubt something for everyone at this venerable attraction (just please don’t climb on the sculptures!).

photograph by Vivian Nieuwsma

photograph by Shelley Cendroski

photograph by Ann Aurbach

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