No, this column has virtually nothing to do with the 1961 film about repressed love and the sexual frustrations of a teenage couple in Kansas, circa 1928. At least I don’t think so. In fact upon reflection, I’m positive—but there is splendor, and there is grass (and trees and flowers). That’s where the similarity ends. 

What it is about though, is The Art Garden, an outdoor revolving exhibit of sculptures, curated by Cass Collins and Naomi Teppich, both of whom were on hand last week when I popped by to check out the latest installations and meet up with a few of the artists themselves. 

The Art Garden is situated on property owned by actor/writer/photographer Collins and reporter/author/entrepreneur Jim Stratton, both of whom have opened their hearts and their garden to visitors seeking to explore a bit of culture. It’s situated in the flats of Narrowsburg, NY, “a 10-minute walk from the Narrowsburg-Darbytown Bridge.”

The mere fact that Collins and Stratton invite art lovers to wander the grounds on their own astounds me. I don’t even want people to know where I live, but the art-loving couple publishes their address on a map and encourages visitors to stop by “all year-round from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.” 

I’ve been once before and found myself intrigued, not only by the hosts, not only by the concept, and not only by the art, but also by the folks who create it, those who nourish it and inform those who know (and those like me, who don’t) about how art is made. 

“Together,” co-curator Teppich said, while addressing the opening reception attendees, “Cass and I have created an outdoor sculpture park on the property. We try to renew [the garden] each year with new work, and this year, five new artists are represented. We are grateful for the ongoing support provided by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.”

Collins concurred. “Yes, we are very lucky,” she said. “It’s great to see all of you here. This is what it’s all about. We want to have this artwork out in the open for everyone in our community to enjoy, and are happy to be able to give artists the opportunity to show their work.”

Collins and Teppich both pointed to a pair of large ceramic pieces created by Matt Nolen, who is described as “a studio artist living and working in New York City and Narrowsburg, whose work has been shown internationally and in other public collections, including the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC.”

“I’ve worked in ceramic for a very long time,” Nolen said while addressing the crowd, “and I’ve made a lot of different types of things. I think of myself as a storyteller, and these pieces are very narrative in their intention. I’m really interested in communicating the story with the form of these pieces.”

Nolen explained his process in detail for the art aficionados in attendance and answered some questions about how his sculptures are made, and how they might weather the weather, as all of the garden sculptures remain in the great outdoors throughout the four seasons.

I spied Juan and Carmen Rigal across the garden and made my way over to ask a question or two about his sculptural “flowers” that were in full bloom, exhibiting a burst of color and whimsy, “sprouting” out of the ground.

“These are hubcaps from a Dodge car,” Juan Rigal explained, pointing out details of the “petals,” when I asked what the flowers were composed of. “I get them from my mechanic.”

“And cat food cans,” Carmen added. 

Cat food cans.

Carmen laughed at my incredulous reaction. “Juan made them all in 2025,” when I asked if the flower sculptures were recent additions to the garden. “This installation is titled ‘Dodge Hub Bouquet.’”

“Oh, these are cool,” I enthused. “Let’s get a photo or two.”

Led by Teppich, Gidget and I then made our way to a piece titled “Vortex,” made by metal sculptor Jodi Carlson, who was happy to speak about her latest installment from her “energy swirl” series. Explaining that she “specializes in aluminum welding and using repurposed materials,” Carlson elaborated, pointing out that the sculpture in question is composed of “trampoline arcs and assorted aluminum components.” 

“I like to take a long, long piece of aluminum and just begin spiraling it, and see where it takes me. I’ve been thinking a lot about energy,” the artist said, “and how I feel when I’m meditating. It’s all about energy,” she said about the series.

All told, there are about 10 sculptures on display in The Art Garden at present, and they do change, as most are for sale, so as one finds a new home, another often takes its place. While Collins and Teppich call it “The Art Garden,” I call it “splendor in the grass.” In my humble opinion.

The Art Garden is located at 52 2nd Ave. in Narrowsburg, and is made possible with funds from the statewide Community Regrant Program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature, as administered by the DVAA. 

Swing by during the allotted times, and follow them on Instagram @ARTGARDEN52.

Ask the Google (or your search engine of choice—iykyk): “Define ‘Aficionado.’”

A: “Someone who enjoys looking at art and may have a ‘basic understanding’ of different styles and techniques.”