Outdoors at the HCA

Healing Garden at HCA

In memory of Nancy Barton and Rory Horton

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts has a very special garden, through the generosity of the Nancy Barton Memorial Fund, Weston Nurseries, and the family of Rory Horton. Nancy was a longtime art teacher at the center who died in 2010. Rory was a young artist who exhibited at the HCA gallery before he died.

Healing Garden Features

A fountain and a lavender garden highlight the garden’s interior. Donated by the Horton family, these features honor the memory and creativity of young Rory Horton. The fountain attracts birds, and its soothing sounds add to the whole experience.

Shrubs, trees, perennials, grasses, ferns, and herbs

From the beautiful sounds of wind rustling through grasses like Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ to the fragrance emanating from sage, thyme, and basil, these plantings provide perfect respite.

The lacy cut leaves of Japanese maples like Acer palmatum dissectum atropurpureum ‘Crimson Queen’ and Acer japonicum filicifolia leave intriguing shadows on sunny days, and charm us with changing color throughout the season. Enjoy the vivid blue of perennials like Campanula carpatica ‘Deep Blue’, and the rich hues of Salvia nemerosa x superba ‘May Night.’ Athyrium fern species and varieties like ‘Lady in Red,’ ‘Ghost,’ and A. felix femina exude a lush coolness even on the warmest days.

Healing Garden inspiration

Open to everyone, the garden’s quiet and peacefulness feed the spirit and enable creative exploration. It ties in beautifully with the renovated gallery and patio. Designed as a circle to create a feeling of nurturing and enclosure, within an outdoor context, it is a beautiful place to come and draw, observe the birds, enjoy the breezes, and to reflect.

Shakespeare Garden at HCA

Installed in June, 2018, the Shakespeare Garden flanks the HCA amphitheater, just across from the Healing Garden. It is clearly visible from the amphitheater and perfect for a stroll before the annual free Summer of Shakespeare at HCA performance —or any time.

Ed Cornely based the Shakespeare Garden on the many plant-related quotes throughout Shakespeare’s work. View his advice on Shakespeare Gardens here.  Retired from teaching English and Theater at Hopkinton High School, Ed is the source of Enter Stage Left, and the mentor of Kelly Grill, HCA Co-Director.

Pansies

“Yet marked I where the bolt of Cupid fell; It fell upon a little western flower, Before, milk-white, now purple with love’s wound- And maidens call it love-in-idleness. “—Midsummer Night’s Dream, II,I

Thank you to Weston Nurseries for their generous help with costs and installation.

Fairy Garden at HCA

Also launched in June, 2018, the Fairy Garden is located along the east wall of the Arts Building. It provides magic for everyone, especially the youngest in the community. Designed in miniature to bring the luck of faeries to our Center, it has lovely tiny plants. See small hostas and sedums, steppables around path pavers, and hand-painted rocks created by the HCA community.

Thank you to Ann Horton for making it possible. 

Outdoor amphitheater at HCA

From June through September, visitors enjoy performances at the outdoor amphitheater at HCA. Many of the performances are free, including Brown Box Theater's production of As You Like It by William Shakespeare. Read about Brown Box and the play here.  Bring a picnic and chair and enjoy an evening of live music at our free Sunset Jazz series every Saturday evening from June 30 - August 18, 7 - 9pm, sponsored by the Hopkinton Cultural Council.

Located behind the new Arts Center at 98 Hayden Rowe Street in Hopkinton, there is plenty of free parking. In case of rain, performances move indoors. The outdoor areas of the HCA are literally Hopkinton’s high point, as they are on the highest elevations of the town. Come enjoy the sunset, breezes, and starry skies, afforded by this very special setting.