On Sunday, October 18, 2020 we drove to Ridgefield, Connecticut to visit The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Our afternoon of art began by admiring the gorgeous display of Autumn leaves on the very scenic and picturesque drive to the Museum. Once we arrived at the Museum, our eyes feasted on the American Artist Frank Stella's sculptures in the Museum's Sculpture Garden before we even set foot inside the Museum.  

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum was founded in 1964 by fashion designer and art collector Larry Aldrich (1906 - 2001), and there is always something interesting happening there. We have enjoyed visiting the museum for many years, and after several months of being closed due to COVID-19, we were thrilled that The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum was open again.  

Twenty Twenty Install 4
Courtesy of the  artist 
Photo: Christopher E. Manning

With an eye on safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum only allows timed ticket entrance, visitors must wear masks indoors and use hand sanitizer upon entering. Happy that the Museum was finally open again, we readily complied with the safety requirements.  

There were four engaging exhibitions located throughout the Museum during our visit, Frank Stella's Stars, A Survey, New York-based Artist Genesis Belanger: Through the Eye of a Needle, Rudy Shepherd: Somebody's Child, and Twenty Twenty with various artists contributing works. We enjoyed experiencing each of them.  

Genesis Belanger: A Fortress of Order and Generosity, 2020
Courtesy of the artist and Perrotin
Photo: Pauline Shapiro

We love all forms of art however we have a special affinity and appreciation of sculpture as it engages the senses from the visual to the tactile. One of the many highlights of our visit was experiencing the sculpture of American artist, sculptor, and painter Frank Stella, where his focus is on the star form. Born in 1936 in Malden, Massachusetts, Mr. Stella captures the imagination and excites the senses with his creativity and interpretation of a singular form, the star, in his paintings, prints, and sculptures.  

For his exhibition at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Frank Stella's Stars, A Survey, there is an impressive collection of 25 of his works that span his long career with selections from the 1960s to his later works ranging from small-scale models and paper works, to large-scale sculptures, including his massive 2017 Jasper's Split Star sculpture.  

Mr. Stella's Jasper's Split Star sculpture is a marvel of engineering and art design. A massive metal sculpture set in the Museum's Sculpture Garden, the sculpture shimmered in the bright sunlight against a background of trees wearing their finest Autumn colors of golds, reds, and rusts. Also, of interest was Frank's Wooden Star (2014), which was another large-scale sculpture set in the Museum's Sculpture Garden.     

Indoors, Mr. Stella's Fat 12 Point Carbon Star from 2016 captured our attention with its dynamic shape and size, as did his colorful and intricate 2017 Nessus and Dejanira sculpture. Experiencing the genius of Frank Stella was an inspirational day of art at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum.  

Listen to an Audio Description: The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum: Frank Stella's Stars, A Survey: Sculpture Garden  - https://soundcloud.com/user-292598524/frank-stellas-stars-a-survey-sculpture-garden 

After enjoying the Museum, we took time to stroll through the affluent and historic town of Ridgefield. Incorporated in 1709, the town is a visual treasure for the eyes with its impressive architecture, parks, and interesting shops and restaurants, so it is easy to spend an enjoyable day at the Museum and town.  

Thank you to The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum for creating exhibitions that stimulate and engage the senses.  

Until next tine, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!  

For information on The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and upcoming exhibitions, please visit the website: www.TheAldrich.org  

Rudy Shephard: Somebody's Child
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Chris Manning 

Hours: The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is open Sunday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. The Museum is closed on Tuesdays. The Museum is located 40 minutes from Greenwich, 60 minutes from New Haven, and 90 minutes from New York City.  

Admission: Adults: $12, Seniors and Students: $7, Members, Educators, Children under 13, and Military Families: Free. The Museum has free entrance to all on the Third Saturday of each month. There is free on-site parking. 

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
258 Main Street
Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877
United States
Telephone: +1-203-438-4519
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Website: www.thealdrich.org
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