Pratt Sculpture Garden

I’ve been granted many things in life but sadly my artistic genes never really kicked in. The Pratt Sculpture Garden allowed me to live vicariously through the many talented artists showcasing their work.
The amount of sculptures strategically placed around the garden/​campus is breathtaking. Everything from unique bench and chair designs, the detailed stone work, to massive pinwheels made from license plates from all the states. The setting is gorgeous and on a sunny day the natural light adds another dimension to each sculpture. Strolling through the campus and admiring all the sculptures and reading the stories behind them from up and coming artists was truly a memorable highlight of my many NYC visits.
The sculptures are remarkable and to enjoy them in this setting is spectacular. If you live in NYC, the Pratt Sculpture Garden is a must see.

Well to put it simply, there is a good reason why I walk through the campus everyday. The grounds are beautiful with some great works of art, and at times not so great. My preference though is to visit and linger during the spring. With all of the blossoms in full bloom and people stirring about it is a great place to enjoy a sunny day while reading that week’s theory papers.

Fresh gardens? Birds chirping happily? Interesting sculptures by young geniuses? Benches that haven’t been peed on (hopefully)?
This serene space had all of the above and offered more than just piece of silent mind and a sweet visual escape. Look around and get to know the work created by the Pratt architects; if this place can’t trigger creativity, I’m not sure what can. One of the few secret places in the heart of Brooklyn that actually makes us feel, well, proud to be a native.
Getting into the garden is sadly limited to the public and you’d have to get through security to give good reason for visiting. After that obstacle, just take it all in…

New York City is home to a myriad of well renowned colleges and institutions. The nice thing about it is that you don’t necessarily have to be a student to attend or participate. I recently sought out the Pratt Sculpture Garden located in the heart of Pratt Institute. It’s about a half hour ride from Manhattan and requires a few transfers on the L and G lines but the light trek is worth it. The surrounding area is mostly residential but once you get to the Pratt Sculpture Garden it’s as if you are miles away from the boroughs and smack in a wonderland.
There are more than two dozen sculptures sprinkled throughout the garden. The sculptures range in size from life to building. The variety of concept and materials used is impressive and unique. Pratt does a wonderful job in offering everything obscure and poignant to awaken the senses. A few sculptures seem to be staples in the garden while some are clearly rotating around the globe and are temporarily parked at Pratt. Each sculpture comes with a plaque explaining the piece and telling a little bit about the artist. All on top of lush green lawn, some of the sculptures even incorporate the standing trees in the garden. It almost seemed natural to see people like forms made out of twigs entwined around the trunks or spinning bee hives in the air touching the top branches.
If you are interested in sculpture gardens, skip the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and come here instead. There are many benches to sit on and it is a creative space where students often film or draw in sketch books. On a sunny day it’s an excellent space for picnics and sun bathing. It is an open, private, clean, safe and well respected area. On the day I went there was no loud music, screaming or unwanted guests. It was truly a day of relaxation and art.