LENOX, Mass. - Visitors to the historic home of American author Edith Wharton can take in a free outdoor art exhibit called SculptureNow starting Thursday, June 1.

“If you go inside it, it almost feels like you're underwater," SculptureNow founder Ann Jon said, walking through the "Windwave Arbor" by Blaze Konefal, one of 27 sculptures on display. "You look up at the ceiling, and everything is moving and reflecting, just like swimming underwater.”

Jon said a lot of hard work went into every single piece, some coming to Lenox from across the world.

“I think he’s from Taiwan," Jon said. "Cut and welded and bent and shaped and it's just extraordinary how lifelike it is when you come up to it from a distance.”

Jon founded SculptureNow 25 years ago. The organization presents art exhibits with the goal of bringing the experience of sculpture art to more people.

“It's a combination of educating the public and presenting them with something enjoyable," she said. "And also giving the artists a chance to get their work seen.”

2023 marks SculptureNow’s 11th year at The Mount. In a tour of the grounds, we found local artist Deborah Carter putting some finishing touches on her piece titled "Unbridled."

“It is made from the root of the tapioca plant, and it is wearable," Carter said. "This is what I do, I do upcycled wearable art.”

After many visits as a guest, Carter is joining the group of selected artists for the first time.

“I have loved this show and admired the work of artists for years and years," Carter said. "I love art and I love art to be outdoors. This is the perfect setting for it because there’s nature, there’s history, I just think it’s just beautiful to have pieces outdoors and guests interacting with them.”

With thousands expected to interact with this year’s sculptures, Jon believes the mission of growing a following of people who love sculpture art is being accomplished.

“The Berkshires is almost in a cultural bubble," she said. "There are so many things going on here and so many people who can appreciate it and who come here year after year after year. And we're finally getting to the point where people don't say, ‘Sculpture, where?’”

The sculptures will be on display at The Mount until October and self-guided tours of the grounds are free of charge. SculptureNow is hosting an “Meet the Artist” event on Sunday, June 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. where many of the artists will greet guests in-person to talk about their works.