In 1996, engineer and innovator Paul Andres purchased Big Bear Mountain in Brookline, NH and moved into the
house near the top of the mountain. Based on his lifelong love of nature and passion for art, Paul decided to
purchase sculptures to place in the natural setting surrounding his new home.
Coincidentally, master sculptor John M. Weidman had been living in Brookline for many years. Not surprisingly,
John's skill as a sculptor became known to Paul and they began to work together to make plans for adding
sculptures to the mountain. In 1998, they co-founded the Andres Institute of Art as a 501(c) (3) charitable
organization.
The Mission of the Institute is:
"Andres Institute of Art shall serve and advance the intellectual and social well being of the public by educating and
training artists, by promoting the integration of art and technology, and by supporting fine arts."
The Institute is involved in many activities related to art, including the annual International Bridges and Connections
sculpture symposium. The first symposium was held in 1999. Seven artists were invited to come to Brookline for two
weeks to create sculptures which would be placed on permanent display on the mountain. Sculptors from Lithuania,
Latvia, England, Czech Republic, Ukraine, New Hampshire and Vermont attended this first symposium and stayed
with local volunteer families.
It appeared to be a quiet affair from below in Brookline village. Most of the public was unaware of the happenings on
Big Bear Mountain. Atop the mountain it was anything but quiet. Sculptors were cutting, bending and welding steel.
Others were splitting, shaping grinding and polishing stone. The work was carried out under the gentle guidance of
John Weidman, who has served as the Artistic Director of Andres Institute since its founding.
Meanwhile, volunteers groomed and prepared sculpture sites. As the sculptures were completed, volunteers moved
them from the studio to the sites using heavy equipment. When the sculptors headed home two weeks after they
arrived, seven new sculptures had been placed on the mountain. One of them, Phoenix, is to this day the largest
work in the sculpture park; it is 15 feet tall and weighs about 11 tons.
The symposium format proved a great success. Since that time, the Institute has held a sculpture symposium each
year, with each symposium having its own theme.
The artists are paid a small stipend for their attendance, but the real reward is that they are allowed to create
whatever sculpture they like and to place it wherever they want on the mountain. The Institute provides tools and
materials to help each artist realize his or her vision. The artists appreciate this support, and they enjoy the freedom
to express their craft according to their own inspiration.
The annual symposia have been truly international in nature with participating artists coming from many countries
and diverse cultures across five continents.
As a result of the collective effort from these gifted artists, we now have over 50 thought-provoking original works of
art nestled along walking trails all over the mountain in our 140 acre sculpture park. Our park contains miles of
wooded trails, beautiful vistas, and peaceful settings. It is the combination of art and nature that makes a visit to
Andres Institute of Art a unique and memorable occasion.
At Andres Institute of Art, we bring art to our community by making the experience of art an everyday relationship.
Our purpose is to underline the interface of nature and culture in order to bring the visitor into a closer, and
perhaps more comfortable relationship with the works of art. Both the location and the environment of Andres
Institute give us the opportunity to continue to build a place in which individuals may experience art and nature in
tandem. By placing sculpture within nature's framework of trees, boulders, critters and mushrooms, viewers are free
to consider the undercurrents of the inherently beautiful art form nature has to offer along with each piece of art
work. The untouched quality of the Institutes's 140 acres furthers the experience of a personal connection with
nature. The grounds at Andres Institute of Art are open to the public year round -free of charge- and we encourage
you to come and enjoy the well-marked trails. Maps are located at the trailhead behind parking lot of Big Bear
Lodge.
This is mighty work! And you can play an important role in it!
The Institute is a non-profit organization. We are in part supported by our visionary founder, Paul Andres, as well as
by individual contributions. You can contribute to this amazing organization, expressing your value of the arts and
your commitment to the natural beauty of our area. Help us to hold this innovative vision and to expand our creative
work!
We invite you to consider the many ways in which you can support the vision...
Financial donations of any amount are gratefully received and wisely managed. Volunteer service in maintaining our
trails and leading tours is always appreciated. Service organizations or committed individuals are encouraged to
consider "adopting a sculpture" for a year by agreeing to maintain the physical site and sculpture of their choice.
Please see our donation link below.
We Welcome Your Participation!
If you have questions on ways to engage or suggestions for new programming at the Institute, we welcome the
conversation!
Contact us at:
Andres Institute of Art
98 Route 13
P.O. Box 226
Brookline, New Hampshire
03033-0226
Phone: 603-673-8441
E-mail to: director@andresinstitute.org
house near the top of the mountain. Based on his lifelong love of nature and passion for art, Paul decided to
purchase sculptures to place in the natural setting surrounding his new home.
Coincidentally, master sculptor John M. Weidman had been living in Brookline for many years. Not surprisingly,
John's skill as a sculptor became known to Paul and they began to work together to make plans for adding
sculptures to the mountain. In 1998, they co-founded the Andres Institute of Art as a 501(c) (3) charitable
organization.
The Mission of the Institute is:
"Andres Institute of Art shall serve and advance the intellectual and social well being of the public by educating and
training artists, by promoting the integration of art and technology, and by supporting fine arts."
The Institute is involved in many activities related to art, including the annual International Bridges and Connections
sculpture symposium. The first symposium was held in 1999. Seven artists were invited to come to Brookline for two
weeks to create sculptures which would be placed on permanent display on the mountain. Sculptors from Lithuania,
Latvia, England, Czech Republic, Ukraine, New Hampshire and Vermont attended this first symposium and stayed
with local volunteer families.
It appeared to be a quiet affair from below in Brookline village. Most of the public was unaware of the happenings on
Big Bear Mountain. Atop the mountain it was anything but quiet. Sculptors were cutting, bending and welding steel.
Others were splitting, shaping grinding and polishing stone. The work was carried out under the gentle guidance of
John Weidman, who has served as the Artistic Director of Andres Institute since its founding.
Meanwhile, volunteers groomed and prepared sculpture sites. As the sculptures were completed, volunteers moved
them from the studio to the sites using heavy equipment. When the sculptors headed home two weeks after they
arrived, seven new sculptures had been placed on the mountain. One of them, Phoenix, is to this day the largest
work in the sculpture park; it is 15 feet tall and weighs about 11 tons.
The symposium format proved a great success. Since that time, the Institute has held a sculpture symposium each
year, with each symposium having its own theme.
The artists are paid a small stipend for their attendance, but the real reward is that they are allowed to create
whatever sculpture they like and to place it wherever they want on the mountain. The Institute provides tools and
materials to help each artist realize his or her vision. The artists appreciate this support, and they enjoy the freedom
to express their craft according to their own inspiration.
The annual symposia have been truly international in nature with participating artists coming from many countries
and diverse cultures across five continents.
As a result of the collective effort from these gifted artists, we now have over 50 thought-provoking original works of
art nestled along walking trails all over the mountain in our 140 acre sculpture park. Our park contains miles of
wooded trails, beautiful vistas, and peaceful settings. It is the combination of art and nature that makes a visit to
Andres Institute of Art a unique and memorable occasion.
At Andres Institute of Art, we bring art to our community by making the experience of art an everyday relationship.
Our purpose is to underline the interface of nature and culture in order to bring the visitor into a closer, and
perhaps more comfortable relationship with the works of art. Both the location and the environment of Andres
Institute give us the opportunity to continue to build a place in which individuals may experience art and nature in
tandem. By placing sculpture within nature's framework of trees, boulders, critters and mushrooms, viewers are free
to consider the undercurrents of the inherently beautiful art form nature has to offer along with each piece of art
work. The untouched quality of the Institutes's 140 acres furthers the experience of a personal connection with
nature. The grounds at Andres Institute of Art are open to the public year round -free of charge- and we encourage
you to come and enjoy the well-marked trails. Maps are located at the trailhead behind parking lot of Big Bear
Lodge.
This is mighty work! And you can play an important role in it!
The Institute is a non-profit organization. We are in part supported by our visionary founder, Paul Andres, as well as
by individual contributions. You can contribute to this amazing organization, expressing your value of the arts and
your commitment to the natural beauty of our area. Help us to hold this innovative vision and to expand our creative
work!
We invite you to consider the many ways in which you can support the vision...
Financial donations of any amount are gratefully received and wisely managed. Volunteer service in maintaining our
trails and leading tours is always appreciated. Service organizations or committed individuals are encouraged to
consider "adopting a sculpture" for a year by agreeing to maintain the physical site and sculpture of their choice.
Please see our donation link below.
We Welcome Your Participation!
If you have questions on ways to engage or suggestions for new programming at the Institute, we welcome the
conversation!
Contact us at:
Andres Institute of Art
98 Route 13
P.O. Box 226
Brookline, New Hampshire
03033-0226
Phone: 603-673-8441
E-mail to: director@andresinstitute.org
About Andres Institute of Art
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