A Field of Neon Art
A Field of Neon Art
Griffis Sculpture Park opening a new trail for the 2021 Night Lights season
There is something about the woods at night … murkiness shrouds and moonlight dampens every nook and cranny. The trees seemingly reach for the night sky while nocturnal critters and creatures awaken from a day of slumber. Once per year, Griffis Sculpture Park (GSP) which typically is only open during the day, allows Doug Sitler and his team to light up the larger than life pieces of art into a field of neon dreams.
"NIGHT LIGHTS started at The Heron property over in Sherman, NY in 2009,” Sitler told me. “We created a concept where people would walk through a landscape consumed in colorful lighting.” Thinking back to my one and only experience at the Heron Campgrounds made the picture of what he told me dance to life … imagining GSP with Sitler’s finesse, it must be extraordinary. “We additionally brought NIGHT LIGHTS to the Buffalo Botanical Gardens with much success.”
Sitler also organized NIGHT LIGHTS at the Nannen Arboretum one springtime. It was a challenging show for him to host due to weather, “however, it created a nice working relationship with several Ellicottville organizations.” If you walk the village streets anytime in the winter months, the beautifully lit trees you see are another one of Sitler’s handiwork.
Sitler was a long-time volunteer at Griffis Sculpture Park and after turning down a few invitations, he and his team decided to take on bringing NIGHT LIGHTS to the sculpture park in 2013. This was groundbreaking, in my opinion. Typically, the 425-acres of rolling hills and art were not open after dark. Since then the show has only mushroomed into this beautiful event that lights up the night sky of GSP in the early fall.
“NIGHT LIGHTS illuminates the lower third of the Mill Valley Road section of the park and the trails are mostly smooth,” which means easier access for people of all ages. “We had record-breaking attendance in 2020” due to regular demand and the fact that they were able to safely host this outdoor event.
This year, they are opening a NEW 200-yard trail at NIGHT LIGHTS. “One of our volunteers discovered an old trail in the woods, back from when Larry Griffis, Jr. ran the park.” The discovery of the new trail has given Sitler the opportunity for more lighting and entertainment possibilities. NIGHT LIGHTS is also booking special performance artists throughout the 25-night run; check in regularly to their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
Last year’s new feature was the "Disco Ball Forest" which people really gravitated to. “It was an installation that combined a disco ball placed high in the trees, with some high-energy music from the local music group, Dotsun Moon.” This year they are adding to it and making it the "Super Disco Ball Forest." And they cannot wait to see their visitors’ reactions!
NIGHT LIGHTS takes a few weeks of intense work to install. They will eventually place about 1.5 miles of power lines and over 200 lighting fixtures. The event is 10% energy-efficient LED lighting as it will be delicately entwined with mother nature, something you surely will not want to miss.
NIGHT LIGHTS at Griffis Sculpture Park will run for 25 nights this season, Wednesday through Saturday, September 8th through October 16th plus Sunday, October 10th. Working with the setting sun, NIGHT LIGHTS starts at 8:00pm week one and each week the opening time is 10 minutes earlier.
The NIGHT LIGHTS location is at the Mill Valley Road section of the park, 6902 Mill Valley Road, East Otto, NY. Tickets are $12.50 adults, $7.00 children 7-12 years old, and free for 6 and under. Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite.