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Born in England, Richard is the son of a master stone mason who creates industrial masterpieces and functional designs in brick and stone. His mother was an artisan-craftsperson who appreciated beauty in a variety of found objects and nature. Richard’s sister has a similar talent which is being carried on today. As an adult, he his artistic desire led him into the restoration of vintage cars and the building of custom vehicles. In 1989, he married and moved to Nova Scotia where he transformed a century-old sawmill into a unique space, The Mill Gallery Art, Crafts & Curiosities, which was to exhibit their own works and those of local artists. In 1996, they returned to Ontario where Richard took this creativity further, building a studio suitable for the production of various materials including blacksmithing. Richard became a certified Artist Blacksmith in 1999 at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Haliburton. He now creates unique works of art, sculpture and furniture in a variety of media such as steel, stone, wood and glass. They operate, Just Mad Innovative Design—a family business, inspired by their children Justice and Madison who have give them guidance through their own creativity. Anything is Possible! < All Artists Richard Shanks ABOUT SCULPTOR Artist Bio Born in England, Richard is the son of a master stone mason who creates industrial masterpieces and functional designs in brick and stone. His mother was an artisan-craftsperson who appreciated beauty in a variety of found objects and nature. Richard’s sister has a similar talent which is being carried on today. As an adult, he his artistic desire led him into the restoration of vintage cars and the building of custom vehicles. In 1989, he married and moved to Nova Scotia where he transformed a century-old sawmill into a unique space, The Mill Gallery Art, Crafts & Curiosities, which was to exhibit their own works and those of local artists. In 1996, they returned to Ontario where Richard took this creativity further, building a studio suitable for the production of various materials including blacksmithing. Richard became a certified Artist Blacksmith in 1999 at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Haliburton. He now creates unique works of art, sculpture and furniture in a variety of media such as steel, stone, wood and glass. They operate, Just Mad Innovative Design—a family business, inspired by their children Justice and Madison who have give them guidance through their own creativity. Anything is Possible! Link Unavailable Installed Sculptures Visionary: A Tribute to Sir Sandford Fleming Previous Sculpture Next Sculpture

2025 < All Sculptures 2025 Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition $9500.00 Unity Undeniable Mark Puigmarti Unity Undeniable I, along with many Canadians, have recently witnessed, possibly for the first time in our lives, a remarkable national bonding. Stemming from recent American government policies imposed on Canada and the world, the reactions to these events have left everyone with a bewildered feeling. And then feelings wanting to defend and support each other. I thought it would be appropriate to create a mythical creature inspired by some of our renowned Canadian wildlife to represent this incredible patriotism we share by coming together. Mark Puigmarti What seems like lifetimes ago I was refrigeration and HVAC mechanic. Working on commercial industrial gizmos that kept things or people warm or cold, while usually experiencing the polar opposite temperature of whatever it was I was trying to rectify. It is a respectable trade that many men and some women make a respectable living at. However, as much as I tried to make the piping arrangements visually pleasing, orderly, and followable there was something lacking. It just never quite clicked with my persistent dream to follow a more artistic path. One day about half way into a 25-year run at HVACR, I made it my mission to try and change what seemed truly unchangeable. Slowly with a long list of coincidences, happy accidents and a load of sacrifices, particularly by my supportive wife Chris, positive results started to accumulate in the intended direction of working with hot metal. This did indeed take 10 years of incremental progression to end up at the beginning of a new and completely unrecognizable life and style. It is not lost on me to grasp the sheer improbability to do that mid-career, in that career, or any for that matter. That cord was cut 14 years ago now."

Charles O'Neil is a full-time artist living and working in the Haliburton Highlands. With a background in classical life drawing and painting, Charles earned many awards for his painting in juried competitions during the 1980's. By the 1990's Charles became interested in three dimensional sculptures and moved into the use of metals. With some artist blacksmithing techniques Charles developed a method of creating sculptures of wire commonly found at most building supply companies. Although subject matter of his sculptures varies widely, the human form has always been his main interest. Relieving the arts should not be taken too seriously; Charles strives to include a touch of humour in his work. With a long association with the Haliburton School of the Arts, and Sir Sandford Fleming College, Charles earned a Visual and Creative Arts diploma and an Artist Blacksmith Certificate. He became a faculty member in 1997, teaching both teens and adults wire sculpture, drawing, and painting. Charles is also an active member of the Haliburton Guild of Fine Arts, the Ontario Crafts Council, and the Craft Association of British Columbia. Charles O'Neil is presently showing his work in many galleries across Canada. His work can be found in galleries in Ottawa, Haliburton, Port Carling, Bracebridge, Toronto, and Vancouver. Acceptance of his work is international and is held in many private and corporate collections in New York, Southfield Michigan, London, England, Paris, France, Brisbane, Australia, and throughout Canada. < All Artists Charles O'Neil ABOUT SCULPTOR Artist Bio Charles O'Neil is a full-time artist living and working in the Haliburton Highlands. With a background in classical life drawing and painting, Charles earned many awards for his painting in juried competitions during the 1980's. By the 1990's Charles became interested in three dimensional sculptures and moved into the use of metals. With some artist blacksmithing techniques Charles developed a method of creating sculptures of wire commonly found at most building supply companies. Although subject matter of his sculptures varies widely, the human form has always been his main interest. Relieving the arts should not be taken too seriously; Charles strives to include a touch of humour in his work. With a long association with the Haliburton School of the Arts, and Sir Sandford Fleming College, Charles earned a Visual and Creative Arts diploma and an Artist Blacksmith Certificate. He became a faculty member in 1997, teaching both teens and adults wire sculpture, drawing, and painting. Charles is also an active member of the Haliburton Guild of Fine Arts, the Ontario Crafts Council, and the Craft Association of British Columbia. Charles O'Neil is presently showing his work in many galleries across Canada. His work can be found in galleries in Ottawa, Haliburton, Port Carling, Bracebridge, Toronto, and Vancouver. Acceptance of his work is international and is held in many private and corporate collections in New York, Southfield Michigan, London, England, Paris, France, Brisbane, Australia, and throughout Canada. More About O'Neil Installed Sculptures Fire and Ice: A Really Big Shoe Embracing Eos Previous Sculpture Next Sculpture

Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition Image Gallery 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 1 Contact Artist for Pricing Carapace Pillar Michelle Cieloszczyk Read More 3 Contact Artist for Pricing Brenna Donna Mayne Read More 5 Part of Sculpture Forest Collection Double Take Carolanne MacLean Read More 2 $1,500.00 Sustenance Jennifer Anne Kelly Read More 4 Sold Oil Tanker Obelisk Brendan Duggan Read More 6 $4,000.00 A Flower Szonja Vucsetics Read More 1 Contact Artist for Pricing Athena Brett Davis Read More 3 $2,800.00 Parallel Composition Éric Tardif Read More 5 $3,500.00 Art of Noise Mark Puigmarti Read More 2 $1,800.00 Take Flight Jennifer Anne Kelly Read More 4 $3,800.00 Black Reflection Robert Wehkamp Read More 6 Part of Sculpture Forest Collection Depth Don Frost Read More 1 $2,800.00 Girl at the Fountain Tonya Hart Read More 3 $2,100.00 Vitessence David Cross Read More 5 $750.00 Virtual Reali-Kitty Thoreau Bakker Read More 2 $15,000.00 Dancers Elise Muller Read More 4 $1,900.00 Earth and Sky Julie Campagna Read More 6 Sold - Part of Sculpture Forest Collection DAS BUCH XXIII Marianne Reim Read More 2018 Exhibition Guide 2018 marked the first Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition. 6 artists from across Canada submitted pieces. Browse the Collection and Guide here. 1 Sold - Part of Sculpture Forest Collection Mother Earth Scott McKay Read More 3 $2,500.00 Layers Darrell Markewitz Read More 5 $800.00 Lissome 5 Andrew Rothfischer Read More 2 $4,000.00 This Side Up #9, “Shall We Dance” Michael Truelove Read More 4 $9,850.00 Sun Sisters Tim Dolman Read More 6 $20,000.00 Weeping Gargoyle Julie Campagna Read More Self Guided Tours Use the PocketSights app to locate each of the 2023 DHSE Sculptures! 1 Contact Artist for Pricing Grow Together Eric Tardiff Read More 3 Contact Artist for Pricing Aerial Mark Puigmarti Read More 5 Contact Artist for Pricing Abstract 7 Elise Muller Read More 7 Contact Artist for Pricing Night Szonja Vucsetics Read More 2 $2,800.00 Orange Bloom Kristi Chen Read More 4 $1,800.00 Innocence Carolanne MacLean Read More 6 $3,400.00 + HST Retrieving Courage Kim Collins Read More Self Guided Tours Use the PocketSights app to locate each of the 2024 DHSE Sculptures! 1 $18,000.00 The Owl and the Pussycat George Pratt Read More 3 $4200.00 Nature Prevails Mark Puigmarti Read More 5 $4500.00 The Gatekeeper Elise Muller Read More 7 $2000.00 Oracle Rosalinde Baumgartner Read More 2 Not for Sale VR Lion Thoreau Bakker Read More 4 Not for Sale The Happy Hippo Nyasha Mabika Read More 6 $5900.00 Annie Carolanne MacLean Read More 8 $2000.00 Red Woman Breanna Shanahan Read More

One of a Kind Benches In the Sculpture Forest we have 6 "One of Kind Benches" created by artists from across Canada. Each one invites guests to rest and see its own unique perspective of the forest. A Evolution Don Dickson, Amy Doolittle Read More > C Spirit of the Wild Aaron Galbraith Read More > E Forest Screen Bench Scott McKay Read More > B Current Peter Wehrspann Read More > D Sun Bench Scott McKay Read More > F Fire Bench Scott McKay Read More > Support the Installation of another Sculpture Forest Bench Become a Celebration Contributor to become part of the Sculpture Forest's story. Learn More

Sculptures of the Sculpture Forest Gallery A - Z Map Order 12 A Walk in the Woods in Haliburton Mary Ellen Farrow View More 23 Atmo-Sphere John McKinnon View More 43 Bawaajigan - To Dream Jared Tait View More 06 Beaver Haliburton Highlands Secondary School 2002 Students with support from Mary Anne Barkhouse and Michael Belmore View More 16 C to C John Shaw-Rimmington View More 22 Conspiracy of Ravens John McKinnon View More 08 Curled Figures Susan Low-Beer View More B Current Peter Wehrspann View More 34 Das Buch XXIII Marianne Reim View More 39 Depth Don Frost View More 40 Double Take Carolanne MacLean View More 03 Dreaming Stones Kevin Lockau View More 13 Embracing Eos Charles O'Neil View More A Evolution Don Dickson, Amy Doolittle View More F Fire Bench Scott McKay View More 20 Fire and Ice: A Really Big Shoe Charles O'Neil View More 28 Flying Debris Leo Sepa View More E Forest Screen Bench Scott McKay View More 21 Gelert Mary Anne Barkhouse View More 04 Guardians of the Forest Brett Davis View More 42 Happy Hippo Nyasha Mabika View More 29 Harmony Jiří Genzer View More 01 Homesteaders Jake Mol View More 37 I see a wish Created by students of the Integrated Arts Program at Innisdale Secondary School in Barrie, Ontario View More 19 Kennisis: Horse and Rider William Lishman View More 17 Lissome 5 Andrew Rothfischer View More 36 Matriarchy Tarzan Sithole View More 10 Moose Scraps Leo Sepa View More 33 Mother Earth Scott McKay View More 25 Musical Inspiration Simon Chidharara View More 02 Pan George Pratt View More 38 Passage Gord Peteran View More 44 Quadratic Whisper George Hart View More 09 Redwing Frond Darlene Bolahood View More 18 Shadow Caster Ian LaBlance View More 14 Sleep of the Huntress Doug Stephens View More 05 Sound Vessel: Forest Don Dickson, Amy Doolittle View More 26 Spiral Ascent John Shaw-Rimmington, Students of the 2015 Dry Stone Structures Course View More C Spirit of the Wild Aaron Galbraith View More 31 Storied Moons Carole Turner View More D Sun Bench Scott McKay View More Superior Scott Childs View More 11 Terminus Marianne Reim View More 15 To Cut or Not To Cut John Beachli View More 35 Together We Achieve the Extraordinary Tizirai Gumbere View More 27 Together We Explore the Wild George Pratt View More 24 Unity Gate John Shaw-Rimmington View More 07 Visionary: A Tribute to Sir Sandford Fleming Richard Shanks View More 30 Voyage Mary Ellen Farrow View More Wild Bees Charmaine Lurch View More Superior Scott Childs View More Wild Bees Charmaine Lurch View More 01 Homesteaders Jake Mol View More 02 Pan George Pratt View More 03 Dreaming Stones Kevin Lockau View More 04 Guardians of the Forest Brett Davis View More 05 Sound Vessel: Forest Don Dickson, Amy Doolittle View More 06 Beaver Haliburton Highlands Secondary School 2002 Students with support from Mary Anne Barkhouse and Michael Belmore View More 07 Visionary: A Tribute to Sir Sandford Fleming Richard Shanks View More 08 Curled Figures Susan Low-Beer View More 09 Redwing Frond Darlene Bolahood View More 10 Moose Scraps Leo Sepa View More 11 Terminus Marianne Reim View More 12 A Walk in the Woods in Haliburton Mary Ellen Farrow View More 13 Embracing Eos Charles O'Neil View More 14 Sleep of the Huntress Doug Stephens View More 15 To Cut or Not To Cut John Beachli View More 16 C to C John Shaw-Rimmington View More 17 Lissome 5 Andrew Rothfischer View More 18 Shadow Caster Ian LaBlance View More 19 Kennisis: Horse and Rider William Lishman View More 20 Fire and Ice: A Really Big Shoe Charles O'Neil View More 21 Gelert Mary Anne Barkhouse View More 22 Conspiracy of Ravens John McKinnon View More 23 Atmo-Sphere John McKinnon View More 24 Unity Gate John Shaw-Rimmington View More 25 Musical Inspiration Simon Chidharara View More 26 Spiral Ascent John Shaw-Rimmington, Students of the 2015 Dry Stone Structures Course View More 27 Together We Explore the Wild George Pratt View More 28 Flying Debris Leo Sepa View More 29 Harmony Jiří Genzer View More 30 Voyage Mary Ellen Farrow View More 31 Storied Moons Carole Turner View More 32 Wind Dervish John McKinnon View More 33 Mother Earth Scott McKay View More 34 Das Buch XXIII Marianne Reim View More 35 Together We Achieve the Extraordinary Tizirai Gumbere View More 36 Matriarchy Tarzan Sithole View More 37 I see a wish Created by students of the Integrated Arts Program at Innisdale Secondary School in Barrie, Ontario View More 38 Passage Gord Peteran View More 39 Depth Don Frost View More 40 Double Take Carolanne MacLean View More 42 Happy Hippo Nyasha Mabika View More 43 Bawaajigan - To Dream Jared Tait View More 44 Quadratic Whisper George Hart View More A Evolution Don Dickson, Amy Doolittle View More B Current Peter Wehrspann View More C Spirit of the Wild Aaron Galbraith View More D Sun Bench Scott McKay View More E Forest Screen Bench Scott McKay View More

Canada 150: Carved in the Canadian Shield Four artists from three countries visited Haliburton for a three week sculpture symposium in 2017 in celebration of Dysart 150, Ontario 150, and Canada 150. Beginning with four blocks of limestone, each artist was tasked with creating a piece that reflected the theme of carving on the Canadian Shield. The artists worked at the Haliburton School of Art and Design’s stone carving a blacksmith workshop for three weeks. The public was welcome to come watch the artists at work. 29 Harmony Jiří Genzer Read More 31 Storied Moons Carole Turner Read More 30 Voyage Mary Ellen Farrow Read More 32 Wind Dervish John McKinnon Read More Explore our whole collection of sculptures online. Go Now

Youkie Stagg < Back Originally Published On: January 1, 2016 Originally Published By: Haliburton Echo Atmo-Sphere Written By: Youkie Stagg When broken down to its origins, the word “atmosphere” is “atmo” which means vapour and “sphere” which is the same our modern definition. The sculpture was inspired by the theme “secret space.” “Atmo-sphere” is a spherical shape that creates a secret enclosure for quiet thoughts and reflection within the Sculpture Forest. The sculpture is made of granite stones, cement, Western cedar, and polished granite. It features a hidden archway, a quote from the poet Rumi written on the floor, and an oculus in the roof inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Like the purpose of traditional oculi, the oculus of “Atmo-sphere” allows for light and air to enter the space, merging the outdoor and indoors. The striking physical appearance of the piece becomes secondary to the incredible feeling of being within the ‘secret space’ and the amplification of voices reverberating off of the walls. John MacKinnon, the creator of the work, is an artist from Nelson, BC. The Sculpture Forest offers free guided tours in July and August each Tuesday from 10-11:30 am and a shorter ‘Curator Selection” tour on Wednesday from 12:10 – 12:50. Meet at the kiosk in the Fleming College parking lot. < Previous Article Next Article >

Tucked into the forest lie three Art Huts with unique art installations within each. Meet the bees that inspire part Lurch's work. < All Events Art Hut Installation: Seeing the Forest For the Bees Tucked into the forest lie three Art Huts with unique art installations within each. Meet the bees that inspire part Lurch's work. Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Friday, August 25, 2023 Address: Haliburton Sculpture Forest, College Drive, Haliburton, ON, Canada More About the Installation About 75% of North American plant species require an insect—mostly bees—to move their pollen from one plant to another to effect pollination. We are familiar with non-native honeybees, but most pollination is done by wild bees. There are more than 400 kinds of wild bees in Ontario—a third of native bee species are reliant on forest habitat. Wild bees are hard to see unless they've landed on something or they're dead, I wanted for them to be seen and their vital role in our ecosystem recognized. The wire describes a shape, but you can see through it. I thought it would be a perfect way to capture that strength of the structure of the bee and get a sense of that invisibility as they move through space. These magnified wild bees as wire sculptures, allow the viewer to encounter a fly-by of bees—a reminder to us of our connection to the land, how plants are pollinated and food is produced. These bee sculptures invite the viewer to notice, look closer and wonder at the variety and the beauty of bees. Photo Gallery: < Previous Next >

Acer pensylvanicum < Back Striped Maple Ojibwe Name: moozomizh Scientific Name: Acer pensylvanicum Significance in Ojibwe Cultures: When a moose gets injured they will go straight to striped maple because there is a medicinal property that helps heal bruises. Observing the behavior of moose allowed Indigenous peoples to realize the medicinal properties of this tree. This tree promotes and stimulates angiogenesis which is the production of new blood vessels. How to Identify the Leaves: "A small understory tree, striped maple is distinct because of its green and white striped bark. It has large, wide leaves with only 3 main lobes. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. The flowers and winged seeds hang in long clusters, maturing in the fall. It is naturally found in damp woods, ravines and on north-facing slopes in more southern climates." Sources: Image: https://www.ontario.ca/page/striped-maple How to Identify Tree: https://www.ontario.ca/page/striped-maple < Back Next >

Forest walk and artist talk. < All Events Induction of “Passage” Forest walk and artist talk. Wednesday, July 6, 2022 Wednesday, July 6, 2022 Address: Haliburton Sculpture Forest, College Drive, Haliburton, ON, Canada Media Coverage of Event In 2005, Gord Peteran created the “Red Doors” of the Haliburton School of Art + Design—the incredible grand entryway that is also a complex sculpture called “Vortex”. In 2021, thanks to a generous donation from Barb Bolin , the Haliburton Sculpture Forest was able to commission Gord to create the sculpture “Passage”. Although it was installed in the summer of 2021, this is our first chance to have people gather. Gord’s work is in public and private collections throughout North America. Photo Gallery: < Previous Next >

Fraxinus nigra < Back Black Ash Ojibwe Name: baapaagimaak Scientific Name: Fraxinus nigra Significance in Ojibwe Cultures: --- How to Identify the Leaves: "A smaller tree with a narrow crown, it has light grey bark that is soft and cork-like when young, becoming scaly with age. Oval leaflets on a central stalk are deep green and hairless. Full leaves, as opposed to single leaflets, tend to drop in the fall." Sources: Translation: https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/baapaagimaak-na Image: https://www.ontario.ca/page/black-ash How to Identify Tree: https://www.ontario.ca/page/black-ash < Back Next >