Lighting the Way to a Sustainable Future

Whether you’re craving culture or just need some fresh air, Sandy Spring Museum’s new exhibit, “ARTINA 2020: LIGHT: A Sculptural Solar Dance,” is the perfect excuse to leave your house. This outdoor juried sculpture garden, created by members of the Washington Sculptors Group (WSG), can be visited any day of the week from dawn to dusk through Nov. 7.

“The exhibit had been in the works before Covid-19 and even after we didn’t anticipate canceling, but at the same time we had no idea how the pandemic was going to progress,” says Lauren Peirce, the marketing director at Sandy Spring Museum.

Luckily, “ARTINA 2020: LIGHT: A Sculptural Solar Dance” is specifically made for an outdoor setting, so visitors can social distance and enjoy the art while still feeling safe.

The Sun as the Muse

The eight artists in this exhibit explored the use of solar-energy as an art form, either using sunlight as the medium, subject matter or energy source, or playing with the ways that light, sun and energy intersect.

The main theme of the exhibit, light, wasn’t chosen just to bring an added element of beauty to the works; it’s also meant to spread awareness of climate change. As concerns for our planet grow every year, “ARTINA 2020: LIGHT: A Sculptural Solar Dance” hopes to inspire us to increase the use of renewable energy and work to reduce fossil fuels.

Staying Connected

Stroll through the rustic grounds of the museum and see how these talented sculptors used sunlight to capture how vital sustainability is to every life on earth.

“It typically takes about 20 minutes or so to view the entire exhibit, but the museum also sits on seven acres of land and had beautiful gardens so people can continue to walk and explore,” says Peirce.

Visitors are also encouraged to bring food and enjoy an afternoon on the grass or at one of the many picnic tables spread throughout the grounds.

“What’s great is that it’s bringing people to the grounds even though we’re closed right now, so it’s a nice way to stay engaged with the community,” says Peirce.

Masks must be worn at all times while visiting the exhibit. No reservations are required. For more information about the Sandy Spring Museum, “ARTINA 2020: LIGHT: A Sculptural Solar Dance,” and Covid-19 protocols, visit the museum’s website here.

Also, a new indoor exhibit is set to open in October and will have social distance measures put in place so that visitors can enjoy the art in person. Keep an eye on their website for more information.

Make a Day of it

Why not make your outing a day trip? Continue to enjoy the fresh air by taking a hike at one of the many trails nearby, then relax afterwards with a crisp, refreshing beer at one of the four farm breweries in the area: Waredaca Brewing Company, Elderpine Brewing and Blending Co., The Brookeville Beer Farm, and Lone Oak Farm. Or enjoy a comforting meal at the Manor at Silo Falls, a stunning venue that features seasonal dishes and fresh seafood.