Bring Out Your Inner Artist at Wilton's Weir Farm

Admiring the autumn landscape is fine but capturing its beauty in art is even better—and you needn’t be an experienced artist to enjoy the experience. Weir Farm in Western Connecticut, America’s only National Park Service site dedicated to art, invites everyone to try their hand at sketching or painting in the same glorious setting that has inspired three generations of Impressionist artists. All abilities are welcome. Thursdays through Sundays the Park Service offers free supplies for “en plein air” art sessions, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Colored pencils are always available and watercolor supplies are added Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Photographers also are inspired by the glorious setting, a 60 acre-park with barns, gardens and a pond. As a bonus, visitors can tour the newly restored Weir home and studios.

Located on the Wilton-Ridgefield border in Fairfield County, this National Historic Site was home to Julian Alden Weir (1852-1919), a leading figure in the development of American Impressionism. After Weir acquired the property in 1882, he opened his home to fellow artists, including Childe Hassam, John Twachtman, Albert Pinkham Ryder and John Singer Sargent, all of whom visited here and painted the landscape. The Land of Nod was the name Weir gave to his property. Both Weir and Childe Hassam used the phrase to title works that were inspired here. Today it is one of the finest remaining landscapes in American art.

A visit also can include an introductory film and guided tour of Weir’s home, which reopened this year after meticulous restoration recreating the original interiors. The dining table is set for dinner, making it easy to imagine the lively artists’ gatherings that once took place here. Weir’s studio and the studio of his artist daughter, Dorothy Weir Young and her sculptor husband Mahonri, were also restored and are open for self-guided tours.

Weir Farm is located at 735 Nod Hill Road, Wilton. For directions and further information, see www.nps.gov/wefa or phone 203-834-1896. For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com