Hidden within New Orleans’ City Park lies a realm of art and nature, the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. It beckons you to lose yourself amidst its winding paths and stunning sculptures. The Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden opened in 2003. It showcased fifty sculptures initially. The garden expanded in 2019, adding more sculptures and doubling its size. It now boasts over ninety works of art nestled within its eleven acres.
The Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is more than just a collection of sculptures. It’s a testament to the vision of Sydney and Walda Besthoff. Their passion for collecting art began in 1975 with the acquisition of an office building. This building, situated on Lee Circle, housed a granite fountain by Isamu Noguchi. Inspired by this piece, the Besthoffs began acquiring more sculptures. Many of these sculptures originally graced the K&B Plaza on Lee Circle. They now reside in the tranquil setting of the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
The garden itself is a work of art. It incorporates the existing landscape of mature trees and lagoons. Meandering footpaths and pedestrian bridges connect the different areas. The garden’s design carefully preserves the natural beauty of its surroundings. The walkways respect the root patterns of the live oaks. A re-configured lagoon divides the garden into two distinct sections. One is a mature pine and magnolia grove. The other features two-hundred-year-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss. The lagoon holds sculptures within its basins. A cascading garden pool invites interaction. Visitors can carefully navigate stepping stones through the water.
The Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden houses an impressive collection. Works by renowned artists like Henry Moore, Jacques Lipchitz, Barbara Hepworth, George Rickey, Louis Bourgeois, and George Segal are featured. The garden showcases a range of modern and contemporary styles. The sculptures are displayed within the pine and oak groves. These areas create natural “galleries” within the garden.
The Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden represents a collaborative community effort. The Besthoffs, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the City Park Improvement Association worked together to bring the garden to life. The Besthoff Foundation donated the majority of the sculptures and provided significant construction funds. City Park contributed the five-acre site adjacent to the museum. NOMA committed to raising the remaining funds and maintaining the garden. The Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a gift to the community. It offers a unique opportunity to experience world-class sculpture in a beautiful natural setting. As you wander through, consider the journey of each piece, from Lee Circle to this serene oasis. The Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a place where art and nature intertwine. It creates an unforgettable experience for all who visit.