Best Outdoor Art In Sacramento

Wonderful summer weather means a chance to take in nature, outdoor art, or all of the above. Sacramento and its surrounding areas has all the spots you need for an outdoor picnic, a pensive stroll, or a creative burst of inspiration. From the state house to the art house, we've put together a list of must-see sculpture gardens for all ages and all walks of life to enjoy. So, whether you are banging around downtown Sac on a lazy summer Sunday, or looking to get some quality time out in nature on your day off, we got you covered.

Capitol Park
Capitol Ave. & 15th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.capitolmuseum.ca.gov/the-museum/capitol-park

The Capitol Park has everything you need to enjoy a picnic on the capitol grounds: rose gardens, memorials, and sculptures. Sit among obelisks, flowers, palm trees, and take in the majesty of the California Firefighters statute. Artist, Lawrence Noble, created "Holding the Line" in homage to the fallen, selfless spirit of the California Professional Firefighters. And that's just one of the sculptures. Spend an afternoon enjoying the splendor of our state capitol.

Crocker Art Museum
216 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-7000
www.crockerartmuseum.org

So much to see inside and out at one of northern California's premiere art museums. The exterior grounds are dotted with bronze sculptures, including the mammoth 16 foot, mostly suspended sculpture adorning the Northwest corner of the building. "Arpeggio IV" is a 4,620-pound bronze sculpture by world-renowned artist Bruce Beasley.

Olympus Pointe
Sculpture Park
350 N. Sunrise Ave.
Roseville, CA 95661

This is kind of a "must see" for anyone wanting to be amazed by enormity and grace. The spiraling, swooping piece begins at the head of the Miner's Ravine Bike Trail, and is big enough to be visible from the I-80 Interstate. The sculpture represents unity (although many residents find a likeness to a rose, as in Roseville). "Cosmos" was created by Aris Demetrios in the early part of the 1990's, and was dedicated to the people of Roseville by developer Angelo Tsakopoulos. It's bizarre, beautiful, and full of wonderment. So, load up the family, the bikes, and a picnic lunch, and make sure to see Olympus Ponte.

Related: Best Parks In Sacramento

"The Garden And The City"
9th & O Streets
Sacramento, California 95814

This sculpture by Lauren Ewing is the epitome of a public art display. It's a fountain, a sculpture garden, and a community green space. Steel structures, water, stone, and earth inhabit this 700 square foot plot of land on the corner of 9th and O street. One of Ewing's own poems appears on the top of one of the installations structures, creating a captivating statement for the public eye. The piece was sponsored by the Capitol Area Development Authority in 1984.

Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-5291
www.sacramentoconventioncenter.com

Around the Sacramento Convention Center you'll find a number of pieces signifying the diversity and majesty of our fair city. Pieces like "La Familia" by Eduardo Oropeza, 'Sojourner' by Elizabeth Catlett (an iconic tribute to slave liberator Sojourner Truth, "Tree of Life" by Bryan Tedrick,"Genuine Void and Subtle Posession" by Jun Tsun-Tsun Lai and many more installations grace the grounds, creating one of the most intimate, intriguing and provocative sculpture parks in the city.

Related: Best Art Exhibits Coming To Sacramento In 2016

Christopher Millard is a freelance writer and cultural critic whose music reviews can be found on Examiner.com. He also works as a publicist for Valence Communications Group and is a contributor to the health and wellness magazine, Hybrid. Chris currently resides in Sacramento, California.