Tour Info

After scheduling by phone, FAX, or email, the individual or group (up to 12 people) can visit Bertoia Studio along route 100 North in Bally, PA. There is a large enough parking lot for a bus to turn around.

Val, son of Harry Bertoia, then describes how Harry started designing chairs for Knoll inside the old Ford garage. Although Val goes through some of his childhood memories in the Studio with Harry, the present-day display room is always changing with various projects to be competed. An example is the Snake Sculpture model for a 90-ft long gong-snake to be made in year-of-the-snake, 2001.

Questions can be asked at any time during this 1/2-hour introduction of Harry's and Val's work. If available, Dave Plum and Melissa Strawser can also be informative about the daily workings at Bertoia Studio.

Art by Melissa

Then by car, Val leads the way to the Sonambient® Laboratory 3 miles from the Studio. In good weather, Val gives a brief talk outdoors in the most beautiful and peaceful environment of Pennsylvania. Entering the Sonambient® is like going into another world. Val performs on the sound-sculptures that he and his father built in the 1970's, and then lets the sound-sculptures play themselves.

Where Harry left off, Val begins, and takes the group through his Eco-Sculpture Pathway. As the group walks and talks from the East to South to West to North along the pathway, Val describes the various meanings of the sculptures in each direction. It is a philosophical healing process. Typically, there is much laughter when passing by the Humoroids, and other large scale sculptures. These various sculptures are available for sale, which makes the time valuable for art buyers.

Duration is typically 1 hour, and cost for a group is $100, or $20 per individual.

March 10 represents Harry's birthdate, and Sonambient® opens March 10 of each year. November 6 represents the date when Harry died, the closing date of Sonambient®.

May all of us be at peace through the harmony of Harry's continuing sounds.