A first-time visit : Clark Art Institute

Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA  

http://www.clarkart.edu

through October 12, 2026 

by Nechama Katan

The Clark Art Institute mixes an integration of a traditional art museum and Berkshires outdoor space. 

A permanent collection anchors the galleries, alongside the guest exhibition, "An Exquisite Eye: Introducing the Aso O. Tavitian Collection," which is open until February 2027. 

 

Tavitian (1940 - 2020) was a philanthropist and connoisseur who, over decades, assembled 331 works of European art from the 15th -19th centuries, then gifted the entire extraordinary range to the Clark. This is the first public taste of the collection, a preview before the Tavitian Wing at Clark opens in 2028. The pieces for view present an intimate view that is rich in portraiture. Oftentimes, museum goers must stand a foot away from the art to see the precise excellence of the image. 

 

Next, roam the grounds, because the Clark's entirety is only partially an indoor museum. The outdoor reflecting pool faces the woods, where chairs face the water so visitors can sit, eat lunch, and simply enjoy. This mix of formal art, nature, and modern art sums up the Clark Art Institute. 

 

Anthony van Dyck, Portrait of Margaret Lemon, c. 1638, Oil on canvas

A cow pasture behind a fence, where the fence itself is, not surprisingly, a form of art: a lesson in "teaching the cows to draw," designed by Analia Saban. This functioning fence includes varying pattern between the posts and crossbars. Very clever and again signature Clark.

 

The real reason to wander, though, is "Ground/work 2025," a walking trail of six monumental outdoor sculptures scattered across the campus, curated by Glenn Adamson. Art is best when it is not only viewed but experienced, and this trail permits exactly that, moving through the landscape and meeting each piece, literally on its own ground.

 

Each of the six artists reinvents a global craft tradition. Javier Senosiain's "Coata III" is a glorious tiled serpent in the water, drawn from Mexican mosaic. Aboubakar Fofana works in West African indigo cotton wrapped into seeds of life in a metal tree. Laura Ellen Bacon woven willow creates an intricate design that combines the local trees and biodegrade.  Hugh Hayden integrates pieces of wood into a large rib cage. Yō Akiyama uses Japanese ceramics and inspiration from the woods. Milena Naef works with marble and again local wood. Each piece is nestled into the landscape with its own story. The walk through the exhibit gives individual visitors the time to consider and ponder each work in it isn't own time and space. 

 

Museum guests can become physical with the art, to experience it in the wild, and then step back inside for the hushed, traditional museum. Note the trail and other outdoor space are free.

The traditional visitor plans an entire day, or at least an afternoon to delve into the natural art and the masterworks, alike.

By the way, the drive is part of the picturesque pleasure.