Verso University Presents: Grace Farms Art and Architecture Tour

Meeting place: 365 Lukes Wood Rd, New Canaan — Please meet the tour guide at the main entrance at 12:40.

Registration: $15 (Includes admission and tour.)

Please note: The tour will be held rain or shine. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended.

Tour Details

Enjoy an afternoon docent-led tour with a focus on art and architecture. Opened in 2015, Grace Farms is the home of the internationally recognized, architecturally significant River building, a meandering glass building designed by the Pritzker-prize winning Japanese firm SANAA. The River building, which is nestled into the site’s expansive landscape, features five separate glass-encased volumes that create stunning 360-degree views as well as diverse opportunities for visitors to experience the spaces.

On the tour you will explore the River, and throughout the property, you’ll find permanent works by renowned artists, including Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Teresita Fernández, and Beatriz Milhazes. You will also have an opportunity to experience ParaPosition, a recently-acquired sculpture by Alicja Kwade, made of slim interlocking steel frames supporting four boulders and a blue chair made of bronze.

Additionally, Grace Farms contains nature trails, restored meadows, and a diverse natural habitat that invites exploration and reflection. Tour participants are invited to explore the grounds on their own either before or after the tour.

The tour also includes complimentary tea, but we kindly ask that anyone interested in staying for lunch to not rush the Commons line at once, as the café is not equipped to accommodate large groups. Please note that the Commons does not accept cash.

Important Information About Verso University

• Classes are usually structured as a consecutive series.
• Class size is often limited.
• Each series has a one-time fee registration fee covering all classes in the series.
• Registration is mandatory.
• The Westport Library wants to ensure that all interested students are able to participate in Verso University courses. If the registration fee is a barrier to entry for you, please contact [email protected].

Verso University is the Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative, serving up year-round offerings of classes, workshops, and lectures designed to further education and learning. Offerings run the gamut of educational opportunities, ranging from one-time lectures to ongoing courses to classes that meet weekly or perhaps monthly.

Verso University programs are made possible by the generous support of the Nancy J. Beard Lifelong Learning and Education Fund.