Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road , Saint Louis, MO, 63127, United States: Begin Again: 50 Years and Counting

Begin Again: 50 Years and Counting marks Laumeier’s 50th anniversary by celebrating five decades of artist commissions and exhibitions. Featuring hundreds of artists and rarely seen works from Laumeier’s collection, the exhibition highlights the Park’s unique position at the intersection of public art, contemporary museum practice, and the natural world.

Centering on artworks that have come and gone and proposals that were never fully realized, the exhibition embraces change and impermanence, emphasizing sculpture and sculpture parks are dynamic and ephemeral rather than fixed and unchanging. It also honors the many artists and commissions Laumeier has supported, showcasing its long-standing and evolving relationship with artists and the natural environment, while also acknowledging the complexity of curating public artworks in an outdoor setting.

Featuring materials drawn from Laumeier’s collections and archives, Begin Again presents rarely seen drawings, sketches, studies, photographs, sculptural models, and maquettes that illuminate the creative processes. Audio and video elements further amplify artists’ voices and insights.

Arranged chronologically by decade, the exhibition invites visitors to move metaphorically through time, wandering through the Park’s history. Over 50 years, Laumeier has supported more than 1,000 artists, including many women and artists of color at various stages of their careers.

This presentation celebrates the remarkably diverse group who have shaped Laumeier, reflecting a sustained commitment to a broad range of voices and perspectives. Throughout the show, visitors are invited to reconsider and share their memories around what makes Laumeier a unique place that has inspired curiosity and wonder for more than 50 years, through Laumeier Stories, a digital storytelling project.