Opening the Vault: A Look Inside the GFS Collection

Opening the Vault: A Look Inside the GFS Collection offers a behind-the-scenes view of Grounds For Sculpture’s holdings, bringing newly acquired works and pieces that have spent years in storage into public view. The exhibition spans a wide range of artistic media, subjects, and perspectives, including work by established American artists and early pieces by artists who apprenticed at the Johnson Atelier before pursuing careers elsewhere.

The exhibition considers the human experience through the relationships among artists, visitors, staff, and the spaces they share. Rather than presenting the collection solely through a traditional curatorial perspective, it was developed collaboratively by staff members who helped select the works, establish themes, design the gallery, prepare interpretive materials, and participate in art handling and installation. The result reflects GFS’s emphasis on inclusion, collaboration, and shared creativity.

When: Sunday, May 17, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027. The exhibition is described as open-ended and collection-focused.

Location: Domestic Arts Building at Grounds For Sculpture.

Exhibition focus: Works from the GFS Collection are presented across varied media and contexts, including newly acquired sculptures and works that had previously been kept out of public view.

Guest curators: Caitlin Burns, Claire Cossaboon, Danielle Costello, Ariel DellArena, Caroline Fazzini, Colleen Molnar, Amy Musselman, Jan Kathleen Reyes, Rye Palasciano, and Leah Southerland.

Member preview: Grounds For Sculpture members were invited to a first look and related programming during Member Preview Day on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Featured works: The exhibition’s documented works include Jesse Moore’s *Sigh (The Morning You Left)*; Tallur L.N.’s *Obituary Note*; Joe Mooney’s paired sculptures *Icarus Falling* and *Icarus Rising*; Layo Bright’s *9:29. May 25, 2020. George Floyd Murder #147*; Raymond Kaskey’s *Justice*; Christopher Cairns’s *Black Madonna*; Renee Wade’s *Daphni*; Michele Oka Doner’s *Eve #1* and *Venus #1*; Arlene Love’s *Torso*; Michael Malpass’s *SACHAQUEA*; Helena Lukasova’s *I am the Venus*; and Willie Cole’s *Pretty in Pink*.

Artwork details: The listed works include sculpture in poplar, steel, bronze, Cor-ten, glass, oak, sand, cast bronze, fiberglass, resin, leather, laminated oak, painted iron, Carrara marble, and mixed media. The artists represented include Jesse Moore, Tallur L.N., Joe Mooney, Layo Bright, Raymond Kaskey, Christopher Cairns, Renee Wade, Michele Oka Doner, Arlene Love, Michael Malpass, Helena Lukasova, and Willie Cole.

Accessibility: The exhibition is presented as a fresh and accessible way to experience the GFS Collection. The page does not specify particular accessibility services or accommodations.

Tickets: Price not available.

Run time: Not applicable; this is an exhibition on view rather than a timed performance.

Age guidance: No age restriction is listed.

Support: The exhibition is partly supported by the Brooke Barrie Art Fund, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the Atlantic Foundation, and other listed institutional partners.