Stuart Collection
Stuart Collection is made up of buildings and sculptures located on the campuses of UC San Diego and UCSD Health. The art pieces were created between 1961 and 2014.
The Stuart Collection is open to the public, and there is no admission fee. However, parking can be expensive so it’s best to take alternative transportation such as bus or trolley.
History
The Stuart Collection began in 1961 with the installation of La Jolla Light Field by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The artwork, which is located on the UC San Diego campus, was a gift to the university from philanthropist Joan Irvine Smith.
Since then, the Stuart Collection has grown to include 17 artworks by 11 different artists. The most recent addition is Sunlight/Shadow by Isabel Allende, which was installed in 2014 in Torrey Pines.
Location
The Stuart Collection is located on the campuses of UC San Diego and UCSD Health in La Jolla, California.
Getting There
The Stuart Collection is open to the public and there is no admission fee. However, parking can be expensive so it’s best to take alternative transportation such as bus or trolley.
What To See
There are 17 artworks in the Stuart Collection, spread out across the UC San Diego and UCSD Health campuses.
Some of the more popular pieces include:
- La Jolla Light Field by Niki de Saint Phalle: This is the first piece in the Stuart Collection, and it’s located on the UC San Diego campus.
- Sunlight/Shadow by Isabel Allende: This piece was installed in 2014 and is located on the UCSD Health campus.
- The Tree of Life by Roxy Paine: This sculpture is located on the UC San Diego campus and is made up of stainless steel branches.
- Stonehenge by Richard Long: This sculpture is located on the UCSD Health campus and is made up of granite boulders.
- La Jolla Wave by Robert Irwin: This piece is located on the UC San Diego campus and consists of a series of mirrors that reflect the ocean waves.
- Redwoods Viewable Only from Within by Alexis Smith: This sculpture is located on the UC San Diego campus and can only be viewed from inside a redwood tree.
Visiting Tips
Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit to the Stuart Collection:
- Wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a camera to take pictures of the artwork.
- If you’re visiting with children, be sure to pick up a scavenger hunt map at the information kiosk. This will help them find all of the artwork on the campuses.
- Stop by the Geisel Library to see some of the original sketches and models for the Stuart Collection artworks.
- Plan your visit around one of the free public tours that are offered periodically throughout the year.
Whether you’re an art lover or just looking for something different to do, the Stuart Collection is definitely worth a visit. With its unique location and diverse collection of artwork, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.