BY EVELYN CHENG
Socrates Sculpture Park is set for change this summer.
The director of the park for 11 years, Alyson Baker, resigned from her position Friday to become the executive director of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Conn.
With Baker’s resignation, the park’s board of directors has formed a search committee which hopes to find a new director by early fall.
“I am confident that Socrates is stronger and even more vital than ever, and I am certain that a dynamic and capable new leader will be identified to steward it through its next stages of growth and development,” Baker said in a statement.
In the 25 years of the park’s existence, Baker was the first full-time director.
Formerly an illegal dumpsite and an abandoned riverside landfill by the East River, at 32-01 Vernon Blvd. in Long Island City, Socrates Sculpture Park was founded in 1986 by sculptor Mark di Suvero.
“I think that it is magnificent that someone who has directed the park with great vision and who has embraced the community is advancing to her new role as a museum director,” Suvero said.
The 4.5-acre park is the only outdoor space in the New York metropolitan area dedicated to showcasing large-scale sculpture and multimedia installations. The park hosts a variety of free events, including yoga classes, art workshops and Shakespeare productions. “The next director will need to continue to present exhibitions of innovative public sculpture and to continue its role as a vital community resource,” said Stuart Match Suna, board chairman of Socrates Sculpture Park and president of Silvercup Studios in Long Island City.
When events are not in session, the community uses the park as a quiet place to walk their dogs and have lunch.
Area high school students Jasmine and Ayesha Khan, who are cousins, spotted the park for its riverside location.
“You just never get bored when you come here,” Ayesha said, referring to the outdoor sculptures.
The cousins would like more grass and flowers in the park, which is slightly overgrown with weeds.
Others in the community appreciate the park and its art, but believe the park should be more sensitive to the local demographic.
“In the neighborhood, we have a lot of Spanish people. We could have signs in Spanish,” food truck vendor Jose Calle said.
Park staff said summer operations would not be affected by the absence of a director, as event planning was completed in the winter.
The park is seeking continuity in programming with a new director who must have a decade of experience in the field and a deep understanding of contemporary art and public sculpture. Further details can be found on the park website at socratessculpturepark.org.
Reach reporter Evelyn Cheng by phone at 718-260-4524.
