The Nature of Light: An Exploration After Dark
August 8, 2022 to October 30, 2022
Featuring illuminated sculptures by HYBYCOZO and lit environments by Lightswitch throughout the historic Paine estate.
Main Experience
The Main Experience includes full access to the outdoor display, including 17 illuminated settings with more than 36 sculptures.
Sunset-10:00 PM, Daily
Reservations required
Outdoor admission only
Sunday-Thursday with Light Dancers Oct 27 & 30*
$16 Adult
$12 Youth (ages 5-17)
$13 Member Adult
$10 Member Youth
Friday & Saturday with Light Dancers Oct 28 & 29*
$20 Adult
$15 Youth (ages 5-17)
$16 Member Adult
$12 Member Youth
Join or renew as a Member now when making a reservation.
Make Reservation
*Light dancers will perform outdoors in the gardens for each of the final four nights, Oct. 27-30, of The Nature of Light. Performances begin every 15 minutes from 7:15-9:00 PM. These mesmerizing, circus-style performances will make the experience of viewing the lighting exhibition even more sensational!
Free admission for children ages 4 and under.
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.
Guest and Family Passes are not valid during the Premier Presentation period.
Ultimate Experience
The Ultimate Experience includes the outdoor display and adds access to seven rooms inside the Paine mansion with lighting installations, including a major display in the main art gallery.
Sunset-10:00 PM, Daily
Reservations Required
Outdoor and indoor admission
Sunday-Thursday with Light Dancers Oct 27 & 30*
$21 Adult
$16 Youth (ages 5-17)
$13 Member Adult, as available
$10 Member Youth, as available
Friday & Saturday with Light Dancers Oct 28 & 29*
$27 Adult
$20 Youth (ages 5-17)
$16 Member Adult, as available
$12 Member Youth, as available
Join or renew as a Member now when making a reservation.
Make Reservation
*Light dancers will perform outdoors in the gardens for each of the final four nights, Oct. 27-30, of The Nature of Light. Performances begin every 15 minutes from 7:15-9:00 PM. These mesmerizing, circus-style performances will make the experience of viewing the lighting exhibition even more sensational!
Reservations for the Ultimate Experience are especially limited due to capacity constraints inside the mansion.
Free admission for children ages 4 and under.
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.
Guest and Family Passes are not valid during the Premier Presentation period.
Become a Member
The best way to experience The Nature of Light and all the offerings of the Paine is by becoming a Member. For the lighting exhibition, you’ll receive discounted admission, which includes access to the displays inside the mansion for no additional fee as available. Membership benefits also continue for an entire year. You can join now when making a reservation for The Nature of Light or visit the Membership page to learn more about levels and benefits.
Location & Parking
The Paine Art Center and Gardens is located at 1410 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, WI 54901. Limited parking is available in the lot on Algoma Boulevard located next to the Paine mansion, which also offers accessible parking spaces and a drop off area. Additional parking is available in the Paine's overflow lot at 1313 Elmwood Avenue. Parking is also available in the lot at Martin Luther Church, located next to the Paine on Algoma Boulevard (limited availablity some evenings). Click here for a map of parking lot options. Visitors may also park along surrounding streets; please be sure to adhere to any parking restriction signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a visit to the Paine for The Nature of Light, a first-time ever event, has many facets to consider. Let us make it easy for you! Use the button below to find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. You also shouldn’t hesitate to contact the Paine at (920) 235-6903 or reservations@thepaine.org.
Light has the power to transform, transport, and transfix in remarkable and unexpected ways. To capture this wonder, from August through October of 2022, the Paine Art Center and Gardens presents a first-of-its-kind experience, The Nature of Light: An Exploration After Dark. This all-new 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 almost 30 years, Lightswitch has created a wide spectrum of projects, ranging from concerts for artists including Andrea Bocelli, Elton John and Imagine Dragons, to theme park experiences for The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, to distinctive special events including the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge and space launches for Virgin Galactic. Lightswitch created Illumination–Tree Lights for the Morton Arboretum in Chicago and Enchanted–Forest of Light for Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles.
For nearly a decade, HYBYCOZO and Lightswitch have partnered on installations within other projects, but The Nature of Light: An Exploration After Dark is their first 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.
The Nature of Light: An Exploration After Dark is supported by Community First Credit Union, the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
For members of the media, please click here for The Nature of Light media kit.
Lead Sponsor
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