Located in the backcountry of Greenwich , Connecticut 's northwest corner are 70 acres of land held by Seven Bridges Foundation, Inc. The property is the home to a unique and focused program of figurative art that is an important resource for the art community of the surrounding area. Presenting a number of visiting artist and scholar presentations, partnering with other non-profit organizations, and exhibiting art in its permanent collection, Seven Bridges offers those who visit insight into the world of figurative art and the work of 20 th century masters and emerging artists.

Richard McKenzie established Seven Bridges as a non-profit organization in 1998 for “the preservation of works of art, and the exhibition of such works in an indoor facility and in a surrounding natural setting.” The Adirondack style architecture that blends into the natural setting, the beautiful plantings and diverse groves of trees that complement the landscape , the natural grasses and untouched natural areas in the sculpture gardens create the backdrop for the outdoor collection. Originally envisioned as an artist work-study center, the buildings and grounds now present a museum-quality experience unlike any other in the area.

Through vision, creativity and generosity, Seven Bridges has become an intimate collection of fine art and a vibrant, innovative venue for artists, students, scholars and those who seek to gain a better understanding and appreciation of art. Seven Bridges exhibits significant contemporary art with an emphasis on emerging and established living artists. The collection includes large scale paintings as well as bronze and stone sculptures. Many of these works have been created by artists that have been referred to as the “New Old Masters.”

Today Seven Bridges remains an important venue for understanding figurative art and appreciating the value and timeless beauty of a natural setting.

Art and architecture are integrated beautifully in the Studio Gallery, a 15,000 square-foot facility that serves as a museum and art study center. The Studio Gallery was designed to maximize the visual appreciation of art. The main gallery measures 30 feet by 100 feet, with 30 foot ceilings. Over 6,000 square feet exists sub-grade in the 2 lower galleries.

The collection is of the highest quality and is maintained and presented in a museum-quality setting incorporating the highest standards of art conservation. Outstanding paintings by such renowned artists as Odd Nerdrum, Vincent Desiderio, Brett Bigbee, Will Wilson, William Beckman, Gregory Gillespie and Steven Assael, as well as fabulous sculptures by such distinguished artists as Auguste Rodin, Lynn Chadwick, Jaume Plensa and Henry Schiowitz, are presented.

The museum's collection contains more than 400 paintings, sculptures, furniture and decorative arts. The spirit of the architecture, the personal character of the arrangements, and the artistic display of the sculpture create an atmosphere that distinguishes Seven Bridges from other museums and art exhibition halls.

Seven Bridges is an art center that recognizes the relationship between art and nature. Exhibition space is not merely defined by walls and buildings. Fifty acres of landscaped lawns, woodlands, and waterways, provide a unique natural backdrop for the exhibition of various sculptures by important artists. Bronze mountain goats climb the steep rocky landscape; a bevy of ostriches grace the shore of a pond.

Seven Bridges recognizes the finite nature of our natural resources: the critical need to preserve and protect undeveloped land. One of the express purposes promoted by Seven Bridges, set forth in its Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation is “the preservation and conservation of land and open space.” Seven Bridges has worked closely with Greenwich Wetlands over the past 2 years to develop a plan of land use that is environmentally sound. Wetlands, waterways and natural habitats have been protected. Great white pines provide a sanctuary for beautiful birds, owls and hawks. Art is integrated in the natural setting in a non-invasive fashion designed to foster appreciation of both the art and the land.

Over the past several years, Seven Bridges has been promoting its mission through several programs designed to provide cultural stimulation and exposure to the arts within a preserved natural environment. Visiting artist lectures and workshops, and innovative partnerships with neighboring schools and community organizations help build and develop lifelong relationships and appreciation of art. Many of the programs are inspired by masterworks in the museum's holdings, while others celebrate the work by an individual artist. Visiting artists and students explore the museum's galleries, collection and grounds to spark their artistic thinking and find new ways of looking at art. We are often gratified to see and hear the responses from those in attendance to the extraordinary nature of the collection in its surroundings.