Mission

Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale work in a unique environment that encourages strong interaction between artists, artworks and the public. The Park’s existence is based on the belief that reclamation, revitalization and creative expression are essential to the survival, humanity and improvement of our urban environment.

History

Socrates Sculpture Park was an abandoned riverside landfill and illegal dumpsite until 1986 when a coalition of artists and community members, under the leadership of artist Mark di Suvero, transformed it into an open studio and exhibition space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents. Today it is an internationally renowned outdoor museum and artist residency program that also serves as a vital New York City park offering a wide variety of public services.

We had a lovely picnic at Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria Queens today. A few times I had mentioned going to the Sculpture Park to Cam, but until today we had not made it. I loved the idea of viewing the Sculptures in the Winter snow, and so with the bluest to blue Winter skies and some warmer (6˚C) weather than recent we headed to Queens. I packed a picnic basket with lunch, not knowing where we would actually have it – maybe in the back of the car? As it turned out there was a new cabin like Sculpture called Bridge of Paradise just asking for us to picnic in it. I walked back to the car and grabbed our basket. We then settled in for some chai, almonds, apricots, clementines and crackers. Very happy for the dry shaded island in the sea of slushy snow. With views of East River, the Manhattan skyline and a great diversity of Sculptures, we had a fabulous Winter picnic.