The content of this post was originally published in the Acton Exchange on 21 September 2024
Pairing sculpture with the outdoors is as natural as pairing earth and water, fire and air or the moon and the stars. And experiencing this delightful adventure at Linda Hoffman and Blase Provitola’s Frog Pond Farm in Harvard is a fine example of this.
Now in its 18th year, taking a self guided tour by the pond and through the woods is an exploration through a diverse display of material, subject matter and placement. The works themselves, ranging from a size that would fit in the palm of your hand to one that explodes in shafts of color that would fill a large room to an angular sculptural bell the size of playground swings engages our senses and sensibilities. The quiet of the pond and woods, interrupted by an occasional plop as a frog hops in the water helps us to slow down, and really take in the scene.
As we walked along the trail, there were sometimes poems paired with the sculpture, sometimes short explanations of the project it represents, as was the case with the plastic hubcaps decorated by sixth grade students from Norbank Avenue School who used up-cycled polyester rope to weave between the spokes of the hubcaps collected from roadsides as an alternative to sending those
materials to the landfill. 
Some are quiet, contemplative groups of bronze figures, others are colorful, whimsical like the three fish over the dam that greet visitors immediately upon beginning the tour.
Taken together, these works remind us that creativity and talent exceed our own imagination. We can be transported to places and emotions as we round the bend of trees or approach the water’s edge. A small snake or frog may enjoy the sights along with us, oblivious to the way it enhances the experience. The sculptures themselves seem to revel in the plein air, touching earth and sky, and stretching upward, or blending into the curve of the earth.
Treat yourself to this exhibit just beyond the Boxborough line, until October 14, and you will thank yourself for the gift of time, quiet and connection to other worlds close to home.
The exhibit is open from Sept 4- October 14th. Admission is $10, $8 for seniors and $5 for children. For group tours contact fr***@*************rm.com
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About Meg
Meg is a licensed independent clinical social worker with over thirty-five years clinical experience. She holds a Master’s Degree from the Boston University School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Binghamton.