Art & Culture

Outdoor Art

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A person looking up at a sculpture of two horses rearing up on their back legs

A colorful mural on a wall showing fish and lily pads

The Stage is Set By Nature

Public Art and Sculptures

Ever snowshoed a trail linked by murals and sculptures? What about finding both sets of whales’ tails in two different Vermont towns, a nod to the whale bones found in Vermont? Vermont’s outdoor art showcases how Vermont landscapes and towns not only inspire artists, but also become part of the work and the experience of taking it in. Enjoy the fresh air as you explore public art.

Sculpture Parks in Vermont

Nature sets the stage for a day spent outdoors discovering art amid the scenic beauty of Vermont. These settings are just the beginning; you’ll find murals, sculptures, and more along byways and back roads too.

Lemon Fair Sculpture Park

Take in more than 50 sculptures from across the U.S. and one from Argentina on a self-guided, mowed path in Shoreham.

Barre Stone Sculptures

Granite forged historic downtown Barre, and today, stone-carved sculptures ornament the downtown, including the largest zipper in North America.

Shelburne Museum

Hundreds of preserved and restored works of historically significant art and Americana stewarded on 45 acres.

Painted Silos

Murals on two large silos depict the past and future of Cambridge, Vermont, nodding to its agricultural heritage and the area’s landscape, including mountains and covered bridges.

Whales’ Tails

Twin whales’ tails sculptures can be found in two Vermont towns, Burlington and Randolph, a nod to a time when most of the land that is now Vermont was covered by ocean inhabited by whales.

Cold Hollow Sculpture Park

This Enosburg Falls art installation showcases the work of artist David Stromeyer on 200 acres.

Bundy Modern

This seasonal gallery showcases sculpture outdoors with an indoor gallery component.

Rutland’s Downtown Art

Downtown Rutland is home to several incredible works of art from local, national and international artists, including a sculpture trail and murals on downtown buildings.

Path of Life Sculpture Garden

The Path of Life Garden, nestled on 14 acres in Windsor, is a sculptural garden that aims to symbolize the journey of the human soul.

Seen from behind, a person paints a mural that includes an acoustic guitar, lots of colors, and the word “gratitude.”

Art in Nature

Public Art Exhibits

You won’t have to look far to be inspired by public art in Vermont. Whether you’re drawn to colorful murals splashed on brick buildings in historic downtowns, like Rutland, Burlington, Brattleboro, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury, or following sculpture trails that illustrate Green Mountain history, there’s plenty to see. Even natural areas, like Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee and Raven Ridge Natural Area near Charlotte, are the perfect place to marry art and the natural beauty of Vermont’s outdoors.

A crowd watches an outdoor concert on the lawn of a ski slope.

Fireworks streak across the sky above a lit stage at dusk.

Putting the Rock in the Mountains

Outdoor Music

From late spring to late fall, and at ski resorts during the winter, live music’s stage is set by Vermont’s natural beauty. In the summer, Vermont Symphony Orchestra performs statewide outdoors, Shelburne Museum hosts Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green, and Vermont’s biggest city, Burlington, turns up the volume at the annual Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, drawing both local and internationally known performers. Downtowns host recurring live music series throughout the season, inviting people to gather in the streets for a nightlife feel, including at Burlington’s Waterfront Park.

Vermont Arts Council

Vermont Arts Council stewards and cultivate Vermont’s artistic heritage and works to help the arts reach every facet of life in Vermont, from downtowns to mountains to forests. Browse installations and exhibits and learn what’s new.

Learn More

A large painted mural on the side of a brick building. A sign that reads

A wall next to a sidewalk painted with a colorful mural featuring a green bear, river, and forest.

A wall next to a sidewalk that's painted with a snowy scene and red buildings and trees.

A metal sculpture of a person standing on a horse. Other sculptures and people walking can be seen in the background.

An outdoor sculpture of two boulder-like structures.

Seen from below, a person stands within a curved, orange sculpture of orange

A person stands in grass holding up a painted piece of art. A pond can be seen in the background.

A red building next to a wide field of green grass. Sculptures sit in the distance.

Two people walk in grass near a tall sculpture with a clothes hanger on top.