Lyme Academy of Fine Arts Acquires Adjacent Property to Expand Sculpture Program
Historic $1.8 Million Gift Enables Largest Campus Expansion in Over Two Decades
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts proudly announces the acquisition of 80-1 Lyme Street, the adjacent property formerly home to Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds. This significant expansion of the Academy’s campus was made possible through a generous $1.8 million gift from anonymous donors—the largest single contribution in the Academy’s history.
The seller of the property was noted architect and sculptor Gil Boro, who built a large barn in the rear of the property that he had used for many years as his sculpting studio. This space will serve as future educational space for Lyme Academy’s Core Sculpture Program, solidifying its position as the most comprehensive figurative sculpture program in the United States. This development marks the most substantial growth of the Academy’s physical footprint since the addition of the academic center built in 2003.
According to Lyme Academy’s Board Chair Michael Duffy, “The vision and generosity of our donors allow us to deepen our commitment to figurative art and to offer our students a world-class, immersive educational experience.”
“This is a transformative moment for Lyme Academy,” adds Artistic Director Jordan Sokol. “The acquisition of this property represents both a nod to our roots and a bold step into the future. We are thrilled to expand our facilities with the acquisition of this extraordinary property.”
The 80-1 Lyme Street property—long known for its inspiring sculptures by artist Gil Boro, as well as its expansive sculpture grounds and artistic legacy—will be transformed into a dedicated educational space for sculpture with complementary activities located in nearby buildings. This expansion will further enhance the Academy’s mission to train representational artists through rigorous instruction rooted in tradition, observation, and craftsmanship.
The announcement comes as the Academy approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026—a milestone that reflects a half-century of dedication to fine arts education. Founded by the sculptor Elisabeth Gordon Chandler in 1976, the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts began with a single, bold idea – to offer a traditional education in figurative and representational art at a time when academic principles had fallen out of favor. The addition of the new sculpture center not only honors this legacy but also positions the Academy at the forefront of figurative art education in the 21st century.
The public is invited to the “Next Door, Next Chapter” celebration on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 5pm. Parking for the event is in the South Lot of Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, 84 Lyme Street, Old Lyme.
