Sculpture Gardens

• NEW! BMA Sculpture Garden tour on iTunes
• BMA Sculpture Garden Cell Phone Tour

Alexander Calder. 100 Yard Dash. 1969. Gift of Ryda and Robert H. Levi, Baltimore, BMA 1987.215 ©2007 Estate of Alexander Calder/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Masterworks of modern and contemporary sculpture dramatically emerge in the BMA’s Sculpture Gardens, a verdant landscape of art and horticulture that welcomes visitors throughout the year. Nestled on nearly three acres in the heart of the city, the two terraced gardens are home to 34 sculptures ranging from Auguste Rodin’s striding Balzac (1892) to Alexander Calder’s soaring red 100 Yard Dash (1969), and provide a 100-year survey of sculpture from the figural to the abstract.

Amidst a beautiful flagstone terrace and fountain, the Janet and Alan Wurtzburger Sculpture Garden highlights early 20th-century works such as modern master Emile-Antoine Bourdelle’s figural Fruit (1911), Henry Moore’s boulder-size, abstract Three-Piece Reclining Figure No. 1 (1961–1962), and Max Bill’s granite interpretation of the Möbius strip, Endless Ribbon (1953).

The Ryda and Robert H. Levi Sculpture Garden features sloping garden paths and lush foliage that showcase works from the latter half of the 20th century. These include José Ruiz de Rivera’s slowly revolving Construction 140 (1971), Tony Smith’s monumental triangle of black steel, Spitball (1961), and Michael Heizer’s granite fragments of a deconstructed circle, Eight-Part Circle (1976/1987).

Each summer the BMA presents the popular Jazz in the Sculpture Garden concerts, featuring critically acclaimed national and regional jazz musicians. Guests enjoy intimate concert seating in the gardens, and can bring or purchase a picnic, or make reservations for an elegant dinner at Gertrude’s restaurant.  This event was named one of “100 Favorite Stylish People, Places and Things in Baltimore” by Style magazine.

BMA Sculpture Garden Tour on iTunes
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Explore the lush Sculpture Gardens anytime you want! Download and enjoy commentary by BMA Director Doreen Bolger, BMA Objects Conservator Ann Boulton, sculptor Mark di Suvero, and special reminiscences from BMA Trustee Peggy Heller—who grew up with the Wurtzburger sculpture collection prior to its donation to the Museum—as well as by artists and BMA colleagues throughout the Gardens.

HOURS

The BMA’s Sculpture Gardens are free to the public and open Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m. to dusk, and Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. to dusk.