If you're a fan of sculpture, Massachusetts has got you covered. Here are six museums in that area that have a robust variety of indoor, outdoor, contemporary and classic sculpture installations, and are always offering new and interesting interpretations of the visual art.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art
Mass MoCA, one of the largest spaces for contemporary visual art, is filled with sculpture. Current long-term exhibits include pieces from French-American artist from Louise Bourgeois, and German sculptor Anselm Kiefer. You can also see Franz West’s Les Pommes d’Adam, a monumental outdoor ensemble on loan from the Hall Art Foundation. Previously the museum was home to Liz Glynn’s The Archeology of Another Possible Future, which spectators could see from a catwalk 18 feet above the exhibit.
1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, 413-662-2111, massmoca.org
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is known for their highly curated historical work. Right now visitors can watch as conservators study and treat seven Japanese Buddhist sculptures. The museum also has a 13-foot sculpture of the Roman goddess Juno. In 2016 they were home to the renaissance exhibit Della Robbia: Sculpting with Color in Renaissance Florence.
465 Huntington Ave., Boston, 617-267-9300, mfa.org
Highfield Hall and Gardens
Highfield Hall and Gardensis a unique place where history, art, music, and nature all intersect. Most of their work has limited runs which allows visitors to see something new each visit. On display now is A Passing Fancy, a monumental interactive masterpiece created by visionary sculptor Patrick Dougherty and dozens of community volunteers in just 21 days in June 2019. Highfield is open each year from April 15 to October 31.
56 Highfield Dr., Falmouth, 508-495-1878, highfieldhallandgardens.org
deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum
The deCordova Sculpture Park is a 30-acre space with sculptures from artists all over the world, including Dorothy Dehner, Antony Gormley, Dan Graham, Alexander Liberman, Nam June Paik, Beverly Pepper, Jaume Plensa, George Rickey, and Ursula von Rydingsvard. You will also find work from local artists, including Somerville based artist Christopher Frost. Coming soon is Watershed, a site-specific installation from artist Andy Goldsworthy.
51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln, 781-259-8355, decordova.org
The Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum
The works of late 17th century sculptor Cyrus E. Dallin, can be seen in his very own museum, The Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum. Dallin is well-known for his sculptures depicting people like Paul Revere, John Townsend Trowbridge, and General Sherman. He found inspiration in classical forms, the heroes of European-American history, and his family. And his dedication to the subject of Native Americans changed the face of public art in America.
611 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-641-0747, dallin.org
Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum is home to a variety of innovative sculpture exhibits including Elizabeth Keithline’s Shadow Tree, and Powerful Figures, featuring work from disparate cultures around the world and across time that embody the dual concepts of power. Coming soon is Yoan Capote’s Immanence, a monumental steel sculpture made with thousands of door hinges.
161 Essex St., Salem, 866-745-1876, pem.org
