Art, bronze and woods: Take a walk along Andrew DeVries’ sculpture trail | Arts and Theater

MIDDLEFIELD — Forced to close his Lenox gallery in 2020, Andrew DeVries decided to make the best of a bad situation. 

The renowned sculptor and his wife, Patricia Purdy, brought his sculptures home to Middlefield, where DeVries had always envisioned setting up a sculpture trail on his 15-acre property. There, during the pandemic, he and Purdy, who also is his gallery manager, created a half-mile trail with some 45 sculptures for the public to come and view. 

Six years later, DeVries and Purdy are still welcoming the public to their property, where sculptures and selected poems come together in harmony with the bucolic scenery. The trail, located at 36 East River Road, is open to the public 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, May 15 through Oct. 18. Visitors also can visit DeVries Fine Art International Gallery, where DeVries displays and sells his sculptures, paintings and other artworks. 

DeVries will celebrate the launch of his memoir, “This Dream,” chronicling his artistic journey from a farm in upstate New York, to drawing dances in Denver, to a Parisian art academy, before settling in the Berkshires, 1 to 4 p.m., May 23. 

Bronze casting demonstrations, 1 to 4 p.m. June 20 and Sept. 5, allow 12 guests to view and learn about the ancient lost wax process, from the birth of a clay model through the pouring of 2,100 F molten bronze into the sculpture molds. Tickets for these two days are available at andrewdevries.com. A special open studio will be held May 16 as part of Artweek Berkshires, with a bronze casting demonstration at 1 p.m.

A Summer Celebration, 4 to 8 p.m. July 18, will celebrate the season with art and music by Melissa Brinton. A Harvest Reception, 1 to 4 pm. Oct. 10, will feature music by Oakes and Smith and Andrew’s famous vegetarian chili and homemade pies. 

Information and directions: 413-238-7755, andrewdevries.com