American sculptor Daniel Chester French, of Lincoln Memorial fame, chose Stockbridge for his summer estate and studio. The gray stuccoed mansion, constructed with a mansard roof, dormer windows and classical moldings, inspires thoughts of royalty and castles. The home is Spartan and well-lit, and was declared a national landmark in 1965. It is now a museum open to the public. Small scale models of French's work can be found in his studio and throughout the home, and the sprawling grounds are alternately landscaped with perennial gardens and left in a natural state with peaceful wooded paths.
Every year, the museum hosts the Contemporary Sculpture Show, a juried invitational exhibition of outdoor sculpture. Installed are 34 sculptures by 29 contemporary artists, including Dana Filibert's Lustre Cluster (pictured). The pieces reflect a variety of sculptural techniques and are arranged strategically, sometimes specifically incorporating the landscape. They are showcased in juxtaposition to French's turn-of-the-century works.
Through Oct. 15, Chesterwood Museum, 4 Williamsville Rd., Stockbridge, (413) 298-3579, www.chesterwood.org.
