Merging Creativity and Manufacturing: Neighboring Fabrication Company Unites with New Jersey's Grounds for Sculpture
A merger between Grounds for Sculpture and Johnson Atelier Digital marks an exciting development for the art and culture landscape in Hamilton, New Jersey. Both entities, originally founded by artist Seward Johnson, share a rich history and extensive collection of over 300 sculptures within the 42-acre botanical and sculpture haven at Grounds for Sculpture.
Johnson Atelier Digital, a commercial workshop, specializes in the fabrication of large-scale sculptural works. Forty percent of the sculptures at Grounds for Sculpture were produced at Johnson Atelier, showcasing the synergy between the two establishments.
The atelier, founded in 1974, was established to provide artists greater control over the technical aspects of their work. The workshops have been instrumental in creating various iconic sculptures, including Magdalena Abakanowicz's and Beverly Pepper's works.
While the Seward Johnson Atelier foundation – a legacy foundation that manages and maintains Johnson's artwork and supports outdoor sculptural work generally – remains independent, the merger represents a significant leap forward for both organizations. Gary Garrido Schneider, CEO of Grounds for Sculpture, describes the merger as an extension of the broader mission to support artists and engage the public with sculpture.
Johnson Atelier Digital offers a unique combination of state-of-the-art production capabilities and artistic talent on site. Staff artists have access to onsite studios and equipment for their own projects when not working on commissions. The 60,000-square-foot space houses the design and finishing of sculptures, using digital scanning, computer-assisted drafting software, and computer numerical control milling machinery. Should a piece need to be cast in metal, molds are crafted within the atelier and sent to a foundry for pouring. Johnson Atelier Digital also ventures into industrial applications, crafting pre-formed bridge supports and patterned sound barriers for freeways, among other projects.
One of the resident artists, Clifford Ward, a late-blooming artist who began at the atelier as an apprentice in 1997, now has a solo exhibition at Grounds for Sculpture. Ward credits the atelier as the place where he cultivated his artistic skills and knowledge. Thus, the merger brings together not just two iconic cultural institutions but also fosters collaboration between artists of international renown.
The Johnson Atelier Digital’s capabilities in creating large-scale sculptures contribute significantly to Grounds for Sculpture's mission to showcase contemporary sculptures in a dynamic, immersive setting. As the two units merge, they aim to create an increasingly innovative and collaborative environment for artistic creations and appreciation in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Artificial-intelligence, in the form of computer-assisted drafting software and computer numerical control milling machinery, is integrated into the unique production capabilities of Johnson Atelier Digital. This fusion of technology and art boosts the atelier's capacity to create large-scale sculptures, ambitious collaborations, and innovative artistic creations at both Grounds for Sculpture and Johnson Atelier Digital.
