Silent Day at Calder Gardens

Wednesday, May 27, 3–7pm
$22; members $10

Join us for Silent Days at Calder Gardens, a monthly program that invites visitors to slow down, turn inward, and experience quiet attention.

Taking place on the fourth Wednesday of every month, Silent Days offers full access to the galleries and gardens for four hours dedicated to silence and sensory awareness with a reduced-audience capacity. We invite participants to experience silence as an enriching opportunity to engage with the world in an intentional and attentive way—an open field for noticing, listening, and being present.

During Silent Days, visitors are asked to remain in silence throughout their time in the space. In order to maintain a shared atmosphere of quiet focus, we kindly ask audience members to refrain from using electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, computers, and headphones. We encourage visitors to meditate, bring printed reading materials, small paper pads, and pencils for drawing and writing (please note that pens, markers, and all forms of paint are not permitted). Whether walking, sitting, resting, reading, sketching, or simply observing, visitors are invited to move at their own rhythm and attune to what unfolds both around and within them.

Designated areas for reading, drawing, writing, and meditation will be available throughout the galleries and gardens, with chairs, tables, and meditation cushions provided. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own meditation pillows for comfort.

Conceived as a place for contemplation, Calder Gardens encourages visitors to learn more about themselves through direct, real-time experience. The works of Alexander Calder invite awareness through movement, balance, and experimentation; Herzog & de Meuron’s building unfolds as a carefully choreographed sequence of sensorial moments; and Piet Oudolf’s gardens draw attention to cycles of growth, decay, and transformation—reminding us of life’s continual change.

The reduced-sensory environment of Silent Days supports visitors with autism; social, emotional, or mental health needs; dementia, and other sensory sensitivities, while offering a more grounded and spacious experience for anyone seeking respite from the pace of daily life. Silent Days reflects Calder Gardens’ commitment to being a site of care, contemplation, and well-being—where moments of shared silence can foster awareness and connection.

Our facility is designed to offer a wide range of accommodations and services. For a more complete listing, see Accessibility. To request accommodations or learn more about our services, contact us at info@caldergardens.org or 215.278.7250.