Shedding Light in the Park
Shedding Light in the Park
Community Foundation grant enhances Sculpture Park Night Lights experience
Owner of SitlerHQ Doug Sitler, CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus, CRCF Board President Lucy Benson. Photo / CRCF
OLEAN – Griffis Sculpture Park, an open-air art sanctuary, illuminates the night sky for multiple weekends each autumn, and with the help of a grant from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, park visitors found a more culturally enriching experience this year.
For the last twelve years, the Night Lights event transforms the parks already awe-inspiring sculptures and landscapes into a breathtaking nighttime spectacle. The seasonal event invites guests to explore the park under the glow of vibrant lights, casting new dimensions on the 250+ sculptures and nature surrounding them.
A $4,000 grant from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s Visual Arts Alliance Endowment Fund has enabled the Night Lights organizers to bolster the event by hiring local artists and performers each night, bringing new layers of creativity to the series.
“We are very excited to feature a diverse array of artist each evening,” said Nila Griffis, executive director of Griffis Sculpture Park. “Our visitors will discover the artists on their walk through the lights. It will provide an up-close experience with the arts and also add to the adventure of attending Night Lights.”
The event has become a favorite in the region, attracting visitors of all ages who are eager to witness the park’s transformation under the stars. Thanks to the talents of local musicians, painters, storytellers, LED hoopers, instrumentalists, poets and more, this year’s Night Lights promises to be more captivating than ever.
The support from CRCF highlights the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to preserving and enhancing local cultural recreational assets.
“Night Lights at Griffis Sculpture Park is a special community event that blends art, nature and creativity in a unique way” said Kirk Windus, CRCF executive director. “We are proud to contribute to its continued growth and success, and to foster the enrichment of arts and culture in our community.”
Established in 1994, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email foundation@cattfoundation.org, or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).