There’s something special about viewing art outside. This is especially true when paired with the lovely spring season in New England. Continue reading to explore a few of the many outdoor areas where local artists have made their canvas.
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA, is a must-stop for any outdoor art lover. The park features over 30 acres of walking trails that take visitors through structures created by local sculptors. At any given time, art lovers can expect to find over 60 different works.
Guests are also welcome to visit the indoor museum, which also features a robust collection of rotating exhibitions. You never know what you’ll find each visit! The museum also contains a museum store and cafe.
Additionally, museum patrons also have the opportunity to attend year-round indoor and outdoor activities. These include yoga in the park among the installations, nature tours, and curator and artist conversations.
Lowell Public Art Walk
Another great example of outdoor artwork in the Merrimack Valley is the Lowell Public Art Walk.
The Lowell Public Art Walk is a self-guided tour through key sections of the city featuring outdoor artwork, murals, and sculptors.
Best of all, most of these pieces are within walking distance of each other. So you can easily incorporate the Lowell Public Art Walk into your day trip to Lowell, exercise routines, or simply on the way to or from your favorite coffee shop.
Below, you can find just a few of the many art pieces located on the art walk.
The Hydro
Location: Hamilton Canal District
Our first stop is the Hydro by Nancy Selvage. This playful sculptor was completed by the Cultural Organization of Lowell in 2019. The sculptor provides a kid-friendly interactive experience that encourages “children to explore the journey of water flowing and swirling through a ‘turbine’ gateway that confidently strides forward to greet and embrace the public.”
Decatur Way Path
Location: 220 Salem St., Lowell, MA
The Decatur Way Path is an outdoor walkway through the creative works of local artists and 26 students from local schools. On this walkway, art lovers can find murals, poetry installations, and other creative forms of expression, such as drawings that are only visible when wet.
Dutton Street Mural
Location: Dutton Street, Lowell, MA
The Dutton Street Mural was created by Leo Panos in the 1970s. As it’s one of the last murals of its kind, the piece underwent a renovation in 2016 to help preserve its spot in Lowell history.
Pawtucket Prism
Location: Lowell Sheraton Hotel – Junction of the Pawtucket Canal & Concord River
The Pawtucket Prism by Michio Ihara was created in 1989. This 20 ft. high kinetic sculpture was created to represent the role that water played during Lowell’s development. While the piece was originally designed so that water would spin the sculpture’s steel cubes, it was later repurposed so that the cubes would spin in the wind – creating a soothing sight.
There’s Art All Around You!
When it comes to viewing art outside, the best practice is to keep an interested eye out. With so much art to discover in the Merrimack Valley, you never know what is around the next corner. So, as always, be sure to keep exploring!
