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Date: 9/12/2023
EASTHAMPTON — The 2023 Art in the Orchard exhibit at Park Hill Orchard features nearly three dozen New England sculptors and offers visitors a chance to experience art in a unique setting.
The sculptures can be found throughout a self-guided walking trail that goes through the fruit gardens and orchard. The trail itself is about a half-mile long but can be extended another quarter mile by exploring the labyrinth. Most visitors spend two to four hours viewing and experiencing the art.
Park Hill Orchard owner Alane Hartley said that a combination of the outdoor exhibit space, unrushed time to explore and the artists’ participation throughout the event are just some of the aspects of the event that make it special.
The weekend of Sept. 16 and 17 will be the height of that artist participation as they will be out and about with their sculptures and visitors at the event’s Small Works Show.
“The artists will be at their sculptures to talk with people. Most of the artists will also have smaller works for sale,” explained Hartley. “It is an opportunity to find out more about the artist and their process and purchase some of their art.”
This year’s number of sculptors is slightly higher than in previous years. A call for artists went out in January and a panel of judges chose the participants.
Art in the Orchard began in 2011 and has happened every two years since then, with an invitational on the off years. It began as a way for owners Hartley and Russell Braen to play a role in the local culture and for Easthampton gallery owner Jean-Pierre Pasche to recreate a similar exhibit that takes place in the meadows near his Swiss hometown.
The event runs the length of the orchard’s harvest season and many years also allows visitors to pick apples. However, there are no apples to pick this fall due to a spring freeze that resulted in crop loss. Despite that loss, the Art in the Orchard event is one that is memorable and unique with plenty to explore and do. The owners say it’s a great destination for a family event and that many visitors make a whole afternoon of their time with the sculptures.
The event began Aug. 12 and will run through Thanksgiving weekend, wrapping up on Nov. 26. The grounds are open every day from dawn to dusk. The event is free, but a donation of $5 per person or $20 per group or family is suggested. Visitors are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for walking farm fields and trails.
For those who may have accessibility issues, the orchard does offer weekend cart tours which can be reserved by calling ahead. Park Hill Orchard is located at 82 Park Hill Rd. in Easthampton. For more information, visit the event’s website artintheorchard.org/art.