Eric Reischl The Nature of Light
August 1 – October 26, 2025
See the historic Paine estate transformed into a spectacular showcase of illuminated sculptures and environments with the second incarnation of The Nature of Light, an immersive, nighttime experience harmonizing light, art, and nature. This mindful adventure brings visitors on a journey both inside the mansion and outdoors throughout four acres of gardens, wandering among numerous lighted vistas and sculptural displays where they can view, touch, explore, and play with the nature of light itself.
More than 50,000 people viewed the phenomenal first presentation in 2022. With even more lights and dimensions, The Nature of Light has been recreated with new designs by Lightswitch and, once again, features the mesmerizing sculptures of HYBYCOZO.
Eric Reischl 
Phil Weston 
Phil Weston 
Eric Reischl 
Eric Reischl Reservations
Main Experience
Outdoors Only
Sunset–10:30 PM Daily
Reservations required
The Main Experience includes full access to the outdoor display featuring 17 illuminated settings with more than 36 sculptures and performances by light dancers.
Sunday–Thursday
$20 Adult
$12 Youth (ages 5-17)
Friday–Saturday
$28 Adult
$18 Youth (ages 5-17)
Free for children ages 4 and under
Paine Members receive 50% off. Join or renew when making a reservation!
25% off reservations after 9:00 PM (regular rates only) Guest and Family passes not valid Member benefits: Individual Members receive discounted admission for one adult or youth. Family Members and higher receive discounted admission for up to two adults and five youth.
Ultimate Experience
Indoors & Outdoors
Sunset–10:30 PM Daily
Reservations required
The Ultimate Experience includes the outdoor display and adds access to seven rooms inside the Paine mansion featuring light installations and an interactive sculpture.
Sunday–Thursday
$30 Adult
$20 Youth (ages 5-17)
Friday–Saturday
$40 Adult
$28 Youth (ages 5-17)
Free for children ages 4 and under
Paine Members receive 50% off. Join or renew when making a reservation!
25% off reservations after 9:00 PM (regular rates only) Guest and Family passes not valid Member benefits: Individual Members receive discounted admission for one adult or youth. Family Members and higher receive discounted admission for up to two adults and five youth.
Location & Parking
The Paine Art Center and Gardens is located at 1410 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, WI 54901. Parking, including accessible parking spaces, is available in these lots:
- 1410 Algoma Blvd. (next the Paine Mansion. Limited availability. Drop off area available here.)
- 1413 Congress Ave. (across the street from the Carriage House)
- 1526 Algoma Blvd. (Martin Luther Church, just north of the Paine Mansion)
- Along surrounding streets; please be sure to adhere to any parking restriction signs.
Find a parking map here.
Light Dancers
Light dancers from Cirque du Cham will perform outdoors in the gardens. These mesmerizing, circus-style performances make the experience of viewing the lighting exhibition even more sensational! Performances begin one hour after sunset and continue every 15 minutes until 9:45 pm. Performances are included with admission.
Concessions
Concession areas will be open at the conclusion of the outdoor viewing experience. Enjoy beer and pretzels in an outdoor courtyard. Inside the Conservatory, experience a stunning setting where wine selections will be offered. Food and beverage options for youth will also be available in both settings.
Become a Member!
Paine Members enjoy 50% off admission to The Nature of Light along with early access to reservations and discounts on purchases in the Gift Shop. Members will also receive benefits for Nutcracker in the Castle during the holiday season and Rooms of Blooms in 2026! You can join or renew as a Member when you make a reservation, or click the button below.
About the Exhibition
Light has the power to transform, transport, and transfix in remarkable and unexpected ways. To capture this wonder, this immersive nighttime exhibition was created exclusively for the Paine through a collaboration between two acclaimed studios renowned for crafting remarkable and distinctive experiences.
HYBYCOZO, the Hyperspace Bypass Construction Zone, is an installation arts and sculpture studio focused on creating large-scale artworks that investigate geometric forms through light, shadow, and perception. Their work consists of larger than life sculptures created with the use of digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters and 3D printers and draw on inspirations from mathematics, science, and natural phenomena. Much of their artwork acknowledges diverse cultural influences in pattern making and design and celebrates the inherent beauty of geometric form and pattern.
Their work has been exhibited around the world from the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to Burning Man in California, and from Dubai to Singapore. Recent permanent works by HYBYCOZO have been installed at the Embassy of the United States in Turkey and the California Health and Human Services building in Sacramento.
Lightswitch is an experiential lighting and visual design practice with studios throughout the world. For more than 30 years, Lightswitch has created a wide spectrum of projects, ranging from concerts for artists including Hans Zimmer, Michael Bublé and Halsey, to theme park experiences for The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, to distinctive projects including the relight of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the U505 at the Griffen Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Lightswitch created ‘Illumination–Tree Lights for the Morton Arboretum’ in Chicago and ‘Enlightened’ at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids.
For nearly a decade, HYBYCOZO and Lightswitch have partnered on installations within other projects, but The Nature of Light is an exclusive collaboration on a major, large-scale exhibition. With a complete, defined collection of carefully curated experiences throughout the estate and the grounds, The Nature of Light at the Paine showcases the synergy of HYBYCOZO and Lightswitch’s combined creativity in an exhibition which engages, delights and enthralls guests of all ages.
Lead Sponsor
Lead Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a visit to the Paine for The Nature of Light has many facets to consider. Let us make it easy for you! Find
answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. You may also contact the Paine at 920-235-6903 or reservations@thepaine.org.
The Main Experience includes full access to the outdoor display featuring 17 illuminated settings with more than 36 sculptures and performances by light dancers. Upgrading to the Ultimate Experience includes the outdoor display and adds access to seven rooms inside the Paine mansion featuring lighting installations and an interactive sculpture. Reservations for the Ultimate Experience are especially limited due to capacity constraints inside the mansion.
Guests are encouraged to take their time viewing the lighting exhibition. We estimate outdoor viewing may last 45 minutes to one hour and indoor viewing may add an additional 20 minutes. Guests are welcome to walk through the gardens more than once as they may wish. Entry to the mansion will be limited to one viewing due to capacity constraints indoors.
Reservations are required to attend The Nature of Light. Due to the high volume of expected attendees and limited capacity of the property, walk-in admission is discouraged and will only be accommodated as capacity may allow.
Please call 920-235-6903 and a Paine staff member would be happy to help you! You may also email reservations@thepaine.org with questions.
Reservations for The Nature of Light are nonrefundable. Reservations may be rescheduled as available admission times allow if requested three or more days in advance by contacting reservations@thepaine.org or 920-235-6903. Reservations may be transferred by simply having the new party use the original reservation name when entering.
Yes! A gift shop outdoors in the gardens offers light-up and kid-friendly items. In addition, an art gallery indoors will display a selection of artworks by HYBYCOZO that are available for purchase through their website.
Yes. The exhibition pathways are handicap accessible in the gardens and the mansion.
Portable bathrooms are available near the entrance to the event. Bathrooms are also available inside the Conservatory building at the conclusion of the viewing experience. Bathrooms inside the Paine mansion are available to guests with reservations for indoor viewing.
The Nature of Light is a rain-or-shine event and will continue during rain. Admittance to the event may be suspended temporarily during severe weather and will resume as soon as conditions improve. If severe weather occurs during the event, visitors are advised to seek shelter in their vehicle or inside a Paine building as capacity allows. Refunds will only be provided if the event is forced to close for the evening due to prolonged severe weather.
Daylight viewing of the sculptures is offered August 1–October 26. Daytime hours are Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM. Admission includes viewing the sculptures inside the mansion and outdoors in the gardens. Reservations are not required, but are recommended.
The Paine does not offer group tours or discounts for The Nature of Light. Groups must make reservations using the regular process for nighttime visits. The Paine does offer group tours during regular daytime hours. Group tours must be arranged two weeks in advance. To inquire about a group tour, please contact tours@thepaine.org.