Pratt Institute Sculpture Park | Brooklyn

The Pratt Institute Sculpture Park is a nationally recognized outdoor museum and educational space located on the campus of Pratt Institute in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. It is one of the largest and most significant contemporary sculpture parks in New York City, and among the few sculpture parks integrated into an urban academic campus.

Origins and Development

The sculpture park was formally established in 1999, but Pratt has had a tradition of displaying art on its campus for decades. The initiative was spearheaded by faculty from the Department of Fine Arts and supported by the school administration, who recognized the value of integrating art into the everyday environment of students and the public.

Over time, it evolved into a permanent and rotating collection of large-scale works displayed throughout the 25-acre campus. Today, it functions both as a public art museum and an educational resource for students of art, design, and architecture.

Location and Layout

The park is open to the public daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and is free of charge. Visitors can enter from:

Willoughby Avenue and Grand Avenue

Dekalb Avenue and Hall Street

The sculptures are dispersed among the lawns, gardens, courtyards, and pathways of the Pratt campus. The campus itself is rich in 19th-century architecture, adding to the contrast and dialogue between the historical setting and contemporary artwork.

Collection Overview

The Sculpture Park includes more than 70 works, many of them monumental in scale, and created from a variety of materials: steel, bronze, wood, glass, and stone. The works span diverse movements, from minimalism and abstraction to figurative realism and kinetic sculpture.

Highlights of the Collection:

Mark di Suvero – Paintbrush (2009)
A towering, abstract steel structure in di Suvero’s signature style. It symbolizes both industrial power and creative energy.

Santiago Calatrava – S7 (2011)
A rare outdoor piece by the internationally renowned architect and sculptor, known for blending structural elegance and motion.

Beverly Pepper – Double Sbalzo (2012)
A minimalist bronze piece by one of the pioneers of site-specific sculpture and land art.

Kenneth Snelson – Black E.C. Tower (2006)
A tensegrity structure (based on balance and tension) reflecting Snelson’s signature scientific-artistic approach.

Philip Grausman – Leucantha (1988–1993)
A massive, stylized white fiberglass head of a woman, creating a surreal, quiet presence.

Ilan Averbuch – The Book of Stone and Steel (2005)
A poetic installation combining reclaimed materials, evoking ideas of memory, history, and construction.

Richard Heinrich – Epistrophy, Straight No Chaser, and 'Round Midnight (2004)
A trio of sculptures inspired by jazz compositions, made from industrial scrap metal.

Wendy Klemperer – Lions at the Gate (2001)
Life-sized welded metal animals guarding the edge of the park—a favorite for children and families.

David Henderson – Skylark (2005)
An abstract, curving form suggesting a sense of floating or soaring, made of lightweight materials.

William Tucker – Oedipus
A bronze form that combines classical allusions with modern abstraction.

Artistic Philosophy and Educational Role

The park isn’t just an exhibition space—it is deeply connected to Pratt’s educational mission:

Many of the sculptures are created by faculty, students, and alumni, showcasing the institute’s long tradition of artistic excellence.

The site encourages interaction, allowing students to live and study in a space infused with art.

Art history, fine arts, and architecture students often use the park for research, drawing, and critique sessions.

The presence of large-scale art on campus fosters daily engagement with sculpture as part of life—not as something hidden in a gallery, but as something embedded in a public and academic environment.

Setting and Atmosphere

The campus itself is a historic landmark, with:

Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival buildings

Open green lawns, tree-lined paths, and seasonal gardens

Secluded benches and informal gathering spaces

This environment contrasts beautifully with the modern, industrial, and abstract nature of many sculptures, enhancing the visual and spatial dialogue between old and new.

Recognition

The Sculpture Park has been named one of the Top 10 College Art Collections in the U.S.

It is often cited in NYC public art guides, though it remains something of a hidden gem compared to better-known art destinations in Manhattan or Long Island City.

Visitor Experience

For those exploring:

Maps and guides are available on campus

Guided tours are sometimes offered during special art events or open houses

The park is ideal for quiet walks, photography, sketching, and picnicking

Events like open studios, student exhibitions, and art fairs sometimes incorporate the sculpture park

Final Notes

The Pratt Institute Sculpture Park reflects a unique blend of urban culture, art education, and public engagement. It remains a living gallery, constantly refreshed, and speaks to the institute's deep commitment to art not only as an academic discipline but as a part of everyday life.