Griffis Sculpture Park in a Different Light
Griffis Sculpture Park in a Different Light
No matter one’s age, the idea of exploring a wooded trail with a few friends after dark on a cool autumn evening is both eerie and irresistible. But embarking on such an evening in the country’s largest sculpture park illuminated with awe-inspiring theatrical lighting? Well, a night out just doesn’t get more thrilling than that!
For the eighth consecutive year, Griffis Sculpture Park at 6902 Mill Valley Road in East Otto, NY is hosting Night Lights now through October 11th. Night Lights will be open Wednesday through Saturday nights for guests to walk some of the park’s trails to experience the unique interplay of light, nature and art. Doug Sitler, owner of Sitler HQ said, “I love creating otherworldly environments for people to come out and explore and enjoy a nice autumn evening.”
For the past 11 years, he and his wife have been setting up their lighting displays at well-known events and locations throughout the region, including the Heron Farm and Events Center in Sherman and the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Now in its eighth year, Night Lights at Griffis Sculpture Park invites guests to enjoy an unguided walk through a portion of the Mill Valley Road site of the park, where sculptures will be aglow with Sitler’s creative lighting.
During the first several nights of Night Lights, the trail will be open at 8:00pm, but as each week passes, the event will begin earlier and eventually open at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased now on EventBrite.com (search NIGHT LIGHTS at Griffis Sculpture Park 2020) and include the start time for each night. On nights that aren’t sold out, there will be an admissions table at the park accepting cash or credit cards.
“We’re already suspecting we’re going to have a very busy Night Lights season,” said Sitler. “People are looking for any opportunity to escape their house!”
Griffis Sculpture Park has been welcoming visitors all summer, as exploring the 450-acre park and its 250 sculptures is a great socially-distanced adventure. “The trails are wide, and there’s so much space for people to spread out,” Sitler added. “We’re really encouraging ticket sales online because we believe some nights will be sold out.” Visitors are encouraged to wear masks and maintain social distancing as they explore the trail during Night Lights.
This year’s season features new lighting concepts, soundscapes, video projections and electronic music created by Buffalo artist Dotsun Moon. Sitler said, “The park’s gift shop will be open with Griffis Sculpture Park merchandise, as well as artwork, mugs, soaps, and sculptures by local artisans.”
Night Lights is the perfect conclusion to a delicious dinner in nearby Ellicottville or Springville, Sitler noted. In fact, many discover Griffis Sculpture Park for the first time at Night Lights. “We appreciate people supporting the park,” said Sitler. “Night Lights is a major fundraiser for the park, and since we don’t get any kind of public money, every little bit counts toward keeping it open.”
To learn more about Griffis Sculpture Park, find them on the web at www.griffispark.org or on Facebook. During heavy rain, the light show is unable to operate, but a weather announcement will be made by 5:00pm on Griffis Sculpture Park’s Facebook page.