Benini Sculpture Ranch

We arrived at the Benini Studio and Sculpture Ranch near Johnson City after our backroads wildflower tour.  There are lots of ranches in Texas, but this ranch is very different.

For one thing the cattle are made of chrome and rusty metal.

This is "Paladin" by Texas artist Bettye Hamblen Turner

In 1999 Italian artist Benini and his wife Lorraine moved to Texas and began installing sculptures by artists from around the world on their ranch just outside Johnson City.

The tour begins at the beautiful on-site art gallery where the works of Benini and guest artists are on display.

I could have stood here and looked at this door all day

Beyond the door and into the gallery, we both loved this beautiful building and the artwork on display

After signing in visitors are invited to drive or walk the roads around the ranch to see the outdoor sculptures on display.

Some works are monumental like these hands named "Aspiration and Determination"

"Etruscan Warrior" is 21-feet tall

Other installations were delicate like "Dancers".  I think these would be perfect in my buffalo grass and wildflower lawn.  According to the website there were more dancers in this field, but some of them have been sold.  All the sculptures on display are available for purchase except those in the Benini personal collection.

A few paid homage to the Texas ranch setting

A very Texas "Bluebonnet" and behind the trees is "Five Bucks, One Blue".

Another view of "Five Bucks, One Blue"

"Texas Landscape"

Some pieces reflected typical Texas yard art style. This is "Ranching Memories" near the entrance

I was amused to find these painted roof vents which are a common theme in Texas yard art.  This is "Wee Three Kings" by Benini.

Many sculptures are kinetic, and the gentle breezes this day provided nice, slow paced movements.  Flowers and garden inspired pieces were a very high end version of yard art stuff we find at our favorite garden centers.

Most of the kinetic art is by La Paso who has completed a number of commissions in the area including some in San Antonio.  This one looked like a butterfly.

Contemporary pieces of cut metal play beautifully with our native oaks.

Some mimic our native limestone rocks



The road leads up to the residence high at the top of a hill

Visitors are welcome to walk around the yard to see the sculptures on display and enjoy the view.  This is one of several sculptures by Texas artist Ho Baron which were among my favorites on the ranch.

A horse sculpture by Bettye Hamblen Turner is stunning.  This one is "HI-Ho".  Hi-Ho Silver?  Or a possible reference to the work of fellow Texan Ho Baron nearby?

Bronzes overlooking the valley

 Contemporary steel on a pedestal against a background of trees

 

 
Behind the house is this chair sculpture "Waiting for Blue Moon" by Benini.

A view back at the hilltop near the house
 
 
Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch by the pond surrounded by world-class sculpture.  This is "Head Games" by Ho Baron.

Nearby is this mirror mosaic likeness of Benini

The Pod Series

"Table for One"

  

A detailed look at "Paladin" before we head out.

  Bull's eye!

 

 
More pieces along the road to the main gate

 Agaves by La Paso

 

  
The Benini Studio and Sculpture Ranch is currently for sale and will close permanently after Labor Day this year so the next few months will be the last chance to see this unique bit of Texas art history.  Update:  The Benini Sculpture Ranch did not close as scheduled in 2012 and remains open.

When we left the ranch we headed toward Johnson City and took advantage of a few more sights along the way.  This agave bloom by one of the gates to The Preserve at Walnut Springs next door reflects the steel agave bloom sculptures we had just seen along the gate road.

Real longhorns in the shade.

 
A bull sculpture by Bettye Hamblen Turner marks the turn at Hwy 290 near Johnson City.  This one was purchased and moved to this spot so it will remain on permanent display here at the entrance to The Preserve at Walnut Springs which is currently under development.

The Benini Ranch sculptures mix Texas Hill Country natural beauty with art that often mimics the landscape.

Chihuly Nights Magic at the Dallas Arboretum

The Chihuly art glass exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum has created quite a buzz.  There's good reason for all this excitement.
 
  
When we planned to visit family in the Dallas area the Chihuly exhibit was on my must-see list.  We opted for the Chihuly Nights show and were not disappointed.

Arriving at 8 PM, there was still plenty of light.  This Mexican Hat and Horn Tower near the entrance seemed very appropriate for a Texas garden display.

Just as the sun was setting the lights began to glow on these dramatic pieces arranged around the central lawn

Yellow Icicle Tower

At 30 feet high this tower is an iconic piece in the exhibit.  Below it mimics the nearby yucca, and a bed of purple gomphrena provides a complementary color contrast.

Plenty of white and light color annuals were planted throughout the gardens making it easy to see the beds at night.

Tiger Lilies

Niijima Floats named for the glass floats used by Japanese fisherman.



Next we headed for the reflecting pools in A Woman's Garden to see the boats at sunset.  The endless edge pool overlooking White Rock Lake made the perfect setting at twilight, which was a jaw-dropping sight.

This is the Float Boat carrying Niijima floats.

 
  
This one is Carnival Boat

Amazing glass work details on the Carnival Boat

There are 14 exhibits of Chihuly sculpture, some containing multiple pieces.

The Sun

Persian Pond, with lily pads both glass and real ones

Citron Green and Red Tower, about 20 feet tall is on a small hill

According to the volunteer docents, each piece is shipped disassembled and reassembled on site.  There seemed to be hundreds of pieces in this work.

At the far end of the gardens are a wall of modern waterfalls.  Three glass displays were placed in the water for an exquisite effect with the waterfall backdrops.


 
Blue and Pink Marlins

Neodymium and Blue Reeds

Turquoise and Clear Eelgrass

Elegant Red Reeds in the circular fountain

Dallas Star was created especially for this exhibit.  The blue and white glittery star seems quite appropriate to Dallas, home of the Cowboys, and also captures the spirit of Dallas bling.



The gardens were very crowded early on, but around 9:30 PM the crowds thinned out significantly and that's when the magic happened -- we practically had the place to ourselves

White Belugas



We circled back around to the formerly crowded ponds which were now wide open

Neodymium Reeds

Silvered Hornets

Back across the lawn we observed this illuminated art display by a different artist that appears to be part of the permanent collection.

Moving on.  Down through the Fern Dell there are beautiful blue glass pieces placed in a small creek.

Turquoise Reeds

Blue Marlins

I've read that the Dallas Arboretum would like to acquire these pieces to remain in the Fern Dell.

It's rare these days that my husband and I would find ourselves closing down any place, but that's just what happened at the Dallas Arboretum last week when we attended Chihuly Nights exhibit.  At 10:23 pm, 23 minutes after the official closing time, we headed to the exit trailed by the security cart.  They were polite, of course, and we were already making our way to the exit (sort of -- not quite a straight line).  We weren't the very last ones out.  Next to last, but who's counting right?

The night displays far exceeded all expectations, it was magic.

The show runs through November 5, 2012.

P.S.  This was post #100.  What better way to celebrate this milestone than with these beautiful glass sculptures.