Stephanie March Shares the Moving Story Behind Her Will Ryman Sculpture

The actress installed the large-scale bouquet at her home in Katonah, New York

Woman dancing joyfully on grass near large red rose sculptures in a sunlit forest setting.
Actress Stephanie March at home in Katonah, New York, with her Will Ryman sculpture. Photo: Melanie Dunea

In the summer of 2020, my husband, Dan Benton, and I rented a house in the Hamptons. As museum nerds and art lovers, we could not get enough of the spectacular sculpture gardens at LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton. One of the pieces in its collection is the most breathtaking work by Will Ryman. I will never forget our first afternoon there, walking hand in hand and coming upon that showstopper of a sculpture. 

Large red rose sculpture in a garden setting with green trees and a gravel path in the background.
Will Ryman, LongHouse 6. Photo: Bill Jacobson Studio, Courtesy the artist and CHART. © Will Ryman / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Red rose sculpture in outdoor garden setting with tall trees and greenery in the background.
Will Ryman, LongHouse 6. Photo: Bill Jacobson Studio, Courtesy the artist and CHART. © Will Ryman / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

I was quiet for a full minute, just taking it in. Dan looked at me and said, “You love it, don’t you? You really do.” And he smiled and squeezed my hand. A similar version is now sited in front of our house in Katonah, New York. You can see it from so many angles. It’s happiness itself blooming outside our window in every season. He surprised me when he bought it—that’s a heck of a bouquet to get from your husband.

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2022 Summer issue in the section “In Focus.” Subscribe to the magazine.