Earlier this year, the New Orleans Museum of Art debuted an expansion to its sculpture garden. Following a yearlong renovation, which more than doubled the size of the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the space now houses more than 90 sculptures.
The original 5-acre garden connects to the new 6.5-acre space surrounding a lagoon in New Orleans’ historical City Park. As visitors stroll under pine and magnolia trees, and around cypress-laden islands, they can see the diverse collection of sculptures that have been donated by the Besthoff Foundation.
Many of the works located in the new section are by artists working primarily in the 21st century. Some of the featured pieces include Frank Geary’s “Bear With Us,” Coosje van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg’s “Corridor Pin, Blue” and Jeppe Hein’s “Mirror Labyrinth.” Later this year, a work by Ugo Rondinone will be added, and two other large-scale installations—a glass bridge and a 60-foot mosaic wall—have been commissioned.
In addition to offering more display space, the expansion provides new areas for musical and theatrical productions, movie screenings under the stars, special tours, festivals and private events. The northern part of the gardens features an outdoor classroom, where groups can enjoy classes, workshops and special programs.
The sculpture garden is open seven days a week, and public guided tours are available Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at noon. Travel planners can book group tours for other days and times by contacting museum staff in advance.
For more information, go to noma.org/sculpture-garden.
Top photo: Works at the New Orleans Museum of Art’s sculpture garden
Photo by Richard Sexton
