Beginning on May 11, Tyler Arboretum in Media asks visitors to look at nature in new ways in its outdoor summer sculpture exhibit, “Gateways to Nature.”

“With this exhibit, we’re inviting visitors to join us on a sculptural journey around the Arboretum,” said Tyler’s communications manager, Gary Bloomer. 

Karen Delaney is a featured artist in the exhibit, with one sculpture on view, “Grand Arch.” Delaney has been a sculptor for three decades. She has exhibited internationally but finds the art community in the Brandywine/Delaware Valley region to be inspiring and fulfilling.

“My sculptures are a product of my fascination with the tensions and harmonies created by manipulating form, space, and line,” she said. “I have endless ideas and am wholeheartedly devoted to expressing all of them in steel and other complementary materials.” 

Karen makes sculpture and paintings in her West Chester studio.

 Kennett Square artist Lele Galer will have four sculptures in the “Gateways of Nature” show, including three kinetic kaleidoscopes. “The idea behind these is stained glass in between spokes in industrial wheels, set on posts with ball bearings so that they can be twirled,” Galer said. “It’s an idea I’ve had for a long time and this was a good place for it, because it adds a big pop of color to an otherwise steel-colored sculpture, and it is in an area where children visit, so it is fun and interactive.

“The big one is called ‘Passion,’” Galer continued. “It’s a large, 8-by-8-foot steel welded and forged sculpture of a heart that is covered in clematis Passion Flower vines. I always wanted to make a stylized passion flower, so here was my chance. It fit the area of the arboretum, as this zone is full of white flowers and is the main area where their wedding/bridal photos are taken. I really enjoyed creating a heart that was specific to place, and Tyler is a very beautiful place for my work.”

Galer said the staff was helpful along the way, “including the drop-off day where staff and volunteers helped offload the 200-pound sculpture and place it.”

The other artists and makers included in “Gateways to Nature” are:

John Parker, “Bengal Tiger,” “Imperial Elk,” and “Flora Duet”

J.D. Scott, “Wind Tunnel”                                

Lisa Fedon, “Safe Haven”                                

Matthew Harris, “At the Garden’s Door” and “Breaking Loose”

Parris Bradley, “Washing Nature”                  

 Roy Wilson and Ann Hopkins Wilson, “Prayer Wheels”

Roman Tybinko, “Iconostasis”                         

Williamson College of the Trades, “Diamond Doorway”

Susan Benarcik, “Conditioned to See”             

Vanny Channal, “Steel Buck,” “American Eagle” and “Steel Mantis”

Tyler’s docent volunteers will lead tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on the exhibit, visit www.tylerarboretum.org/gateways-to-nature.

The land that became Tyler Arboretum was purchased from William Penn in 1681. Today, Tyler provides a natural sanctuary for visitors interested in horticulture, history, and the natural world. With 650 acres of meadows, wetlands and unbroken forest, and more than 17 miles of hiking trails, Tyler is open every day. Visit www.tylerarboretum.org, or call 610-566-9134.