VERO BEACH, FL – June 23, 2023 – Come learn the ancient art of stone balancing from Master Balancer Adam Conard (ZOTO) on Saturday, July 15, at 11 am to 12:30 pm at McKee Botanical Garden. Balancing and stacking stones is one of the rarest and most ancient art forms dating back to prehistoric origins and predates 2D cave paintings, which is considered one of the earliest art forms. Stacking stones is more popular; but done as an artform at the masterly level is very rare. Adam will describe the differences between rock stacking (common) and stone balancing (rare) and touch briefly on the history of the art form and how he got started balancing. Included in Adam’s demonstration will be techniques, setting a base, selecting stones, visualizing balance points, and equilibrium lines. At the completion of Adam’s demonstration, he will have an assortment of smaller stones and will lead a hands-on session where guests can try it out themselves. He will go over safety and will work with everyone individually as they try to create a balance. It is recommended that guests bring a water bottle, wear sneakers or closed-toe shoes, and bring bug spray.
Adam’s Playing with Gravity exhibition is on display throughout the Garden through July 30. This exhibition, which has never been seen before, features stone balances at the mastery level intended to inspire one to believe in the unbelievable. These sculptures are true balances; no glues or other attachments of any kind are used.
Admission: $15 Adults | $13 Seniors (65+)/Youth | $10 Children (2-12). McKee members and children under 2 free.
About Adam Conard
Adam realized at a young age that he had the innate ability to look at an object and visualize its balancing point, then balance it! It wasn’t until Adam was an adult and spent time traveling the world balancing that he realized this art form had a profound impact on people viewing it. Adam states that “When something you do not believe to be real, is right in front of you, it opens up your mind to human potential and to what is possible. I never feel a more primal connection to the earth and more balanced myself, then the moment a balance is made, this is a feeling of pure equilibrium”.
Adam is a Master Balancer (one of very few) due to the difficulty of his balances. He has performed and exhibited his skill in many places, including the center of Times Square in NYC . He recalls “Here for a moment in the center of all this movement and chaos, there was pure balance, pure stillness and time seemed to stop”. Adam has an urge to create in remote natural environments but feels the need to bring this to people so he often seeks out areas where his work will be seen, where people will be impacted such as parks, gardens, and trails. He loves balancing around waterways.