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Fire Bench Scott McKay Name of Sculpture: Fire Bench Materials: Corten Steel Installation Date: 2020 Number on Map: F Go to Gallery Wendy Wilkins, the patron who purchased Mother Earth and commissioned the Sun Bench to accompany it, thought it would be lovely to add a couple more Scott McKay one-of-a-kind benches to create Mother Earth’s living room where a whole family or group of friends could gather. So, she worked with the Sculpture Forest to commission two new nature inspired benches - Forest Screen Bench and Fire Bench - to complete the set and create Mother Earth's living room. In 2018 the Haliburton Sculpture Forest teamed up with the Haliburton Village BIA (business Improvement Area) to create the Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition. This featured the display of six sculptures on the main street from Ontario artists from June to October. McKay’s Mother Earth was one of them. Mother Earth is McKay’s vision of the classical mother figure who is one with the tree of life. < Back to Sculptures

George Pratt is a professional stone sculptor. His works are carved in granite, marble, jade and other exotic ornamental stones of Canada. George Pratt Website: granitecarver.com George Pratt is a professional stone sculptor who was initially introduced to the stone-carving arts by E.B. Cox in 1970. His works are carved in granite, marble, jade and other exotic ornamental stones of Canada. Having produced 25 annual shows beginning in 1972, his work is widely collected in North America by private individuals and corporations. Large works commissioned for public display include the Terry Fox Memorial, Coquitlam, B.C.; the Sedna Sculpture, Toronto. Ontario; The Builders, Calgary, Alberta; the Alaskan Veteran's Memorial; 'The Sundial', Sechelt, B.C. ‘Salmon River’ and ‘Rejuvenation’ sculptures in granite in Burnaby, British Columbia; and ‘The Emperor’s Sunrise’ a sculpture in jade shown at the British Columbia Canada Pavilion, 2008 Beijing Olympics. George has sculpted many presentation works for foreign dignitaries, notably HRH Prince Philip; the Honourable Mary Robinson, President, Republic of Ireland; the Honourable Kim Young Sam, President of the Republic of Korea; the Honourable Corazon Aquino, President of the Philippines; President Boris Yeltsin, Russia and President William Clinton of the United States. He also has extensive teaching experience. George grew up in Haliburton and graduated from the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School. < Back to Artists

Sam Gillett < Back Originally Published On: August 1, 2022 Originally Published By: The Highlander Gord Peteran debuts new work at Haliburton Sculpture Forest Written By: Sam Gillett The Haliburton Sculpture Forest’s newest addition was installed last spring, but won’t be finished for about 30 years. At a ribbon-cutting and artist talk July 26, sculptor Gord Peteran said his wooden constructions, which make up Passage, are designed to merge with the forest that surrounds them. “These works are out of my hands. It’s your obligation to finish them,” he said, referring both to the physical decay of the wooden creations, but also to the way visitors will interpret the enigmatic sculpture, installed in the spring of 2021. A set of oars are affixed to a high wooden table. On each side of the table, two wooden door frames book-end the work, which is nestled in a small glade of trees. “Tables represent gathering … the dining table is the core of the family,” Peteran said. The artist, also responsible for crafting the iconic red doors at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD), said he delights in challenging how people view objects. The oars, for instance, could infer the table could be in motion. “Is a table kind of like a vessel?” Peteran asked. Passage, like most of Peteran’s work, is about humans; how and why we build and use objects. “I look at historical craft as evidence of human behaviour,” he said, later at a talk in the great hall of the HSAD. It’s a study, he said, of “what does the human tend to do?” Perhaps it’s a form of art that emerged from his childhood on Mountain Lake. “What I do comes right out of that lake,” Peteran mused. He said at lakes and cottages “something happens in the mind. The brain has a chance to explode.” Whether his grandmother’s rolling pin or carving tools gathered from settler’s tree clearing operations in the north, Peteran grew fascinated with the objects people build. He’s spent years constructing iconic halfmoon end tables, exploiting their shape and forming them with odds and ends from his workshop, or even driftwood and twine. “They’re basically junk,” he said. Peteran seemed bemused by how the shapes could resonate with people even if the tables weren’t functional. Our perception of common household fixtures change, he said, if he “takes the familiar and intervenes in some tiny way.” Peteran’s sculpture was funded by Barb Bolin, a chair of the sculpture forest. “Every sculpture brings its own story to the sculpture forest, and connects with other stories and sculptures in such intriguing ways,” said board member Annette Blady Van Mil. “We want to thank you, Gord, for making the stories continue.” For more information on the Haliburton Sculpture Forest visit haliburtonsculptureforest.ca. Read the Original Article Here: https://thehighlander.ca/2022/08/04/new-sculpture-to-grow-into-the-forest/ < Previous Article Next Article >

George Pratt All Sculptures Together We Explore the Wild Number on Map 27 Artist George Pratt Material Salt and Pepper Granite Installation Date August 1, 2016 Learn About the Artist The sculpture “Together We Explore the Wild” was commissioned in appreciation of the life of Shawn Hagerman, family man, outdoorsman, canoeist, camper, fisherman, hunter, photographer, hiker, meditator, poet, and health and fitness enthusiast. He found peace and joy in exploring the wilderness alongside his family and friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMhe3CmT1r0 More Photos Previous Next

Richard Shanks is a Canadian artist blacksmith. He creates unique works of art, sculpture and furniture in a variety of media. Richard Shanks 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! < Back to Artists

William Lishman All Sculptures Kennisis: Horse and Rider Number on Map 19 Artist William Lishman Material Milled Steel Installation Date October 1, 2008 Learn About the Artist The theme of Expo 86 in Vancouver was transportation and communications. There were three plazas that focused on various forms of transportation; land, sea and air. My concept won the commission for the centerpiece sculpture for the Land Transportation plaza. My thoughts (inspired by Terry Fox and Steve Fonyo) were that muscle power has been the mainstay of our transportation in human history. Legs have carried humankind around the planet since our forbearers crawled from the sea, and who knows when we first started riding various animals. The horse more than any other animal has carried us for many millennia. The overall piece was comprised of many elements depicting the devolution of the wheel. It started at the bottom out of a traffic jam as if wheeled vehicles had been caught in some tornado-like blender, and were torn apart in an upward spiral of varying colours around a central cone to a height of 86 feet. The vehicle parts re-congealed into muscle powered transportation. A celebration of legs! Aside from the wheeled vehicles at the bottom, it was comprised of 55 figures which gradually diminished in size as they spiraled skyward giving the piece a forced perspective and making it appear much higher than its 86 feet. The horse sculpture was in the second step down in scale, just a bit smaller than life size. It represented the history of equestrian transportation depicting a North American aboriginal rider as one with the horse in mind and muscle. The segments that are welded together to make the sculpture are off cuts from a metal stamping plant that made parts for General Motors in Oshawa. The overall piece was entitled Transcending the Traffic. The sculpture was purchased by Janis Parker and donated to Fleming College which has provided the sculpture on permanent loan to the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. Janis chose the name Kennisis, the name of a racehorse owned by Gary Vasey and Don Finn, to honour the Vasey and Finn families. More Photos Previous Next

Answers to frequently asked questions. Frequently Asked Questions How long are the Sculpture Forest trails? The trails are a total of 1.4 kilometres in length. When is the Sculpture Forest open? Glebe Park is open from dawn to dusk. In the winter, the ski trails in the Sculpture Forest are lit. Are dogs allowed in the Sculpture Forest? Dogs are welcome. Dogs must be under the control of the owner. Please stoop and scoop and deposit in a garbage container. Is there a cost for entry? Entrance is by donation. There are donation boxes at the entrances and along the trails. You can also use Tip Tap to donate using a credit or debit card. Is the Sculpture Forest accessible? We are working to improve the accessibility of the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. Some notes on the current accessibility of the space: The Sculpture Forest Trails are wide and easy to walk on. The surface is fine compacted gravel or earth. The trails are not paved. Service animals are welcome Sculptures can be experienced visually and through touch For visitors using mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.) please note that some pieces have steps leading up to them. There is also a steep hill between "Sound Vessel: Forest" (Number 5 on our map) and "Beaver" (No. 6), which can be avoided using the lower trail. Entrance is free For questions and concerns regarding the accessibility of the Sculpture Forest please contact us. Can we visit the Sculpture Forest in the winter? A portion of the Sculpture Forest is accessible by snowshoe or walking in the winter. There is no charge for the snowshoe trail. A number of the trails in the Sculpture Forest become cross-country ski trails in the winter. Walking and snowshoeing is permitted on the ski trails, free of charge. Please follow applicable signage. To ski on the trails, visitors need to buy a trail pass available at the kiosk in the College Parking Lot or at the entrance on Museum Rd. Is there parking? Parking is available at both entrances to Glebe Park. Are there washrooms? Washrooms are available at Haliburton Highlands Museum or Haliburton School of Art + Design, when they are open. Visitors can use the public washroom in Glebe Park, which is located near the entrance closest to the museum. Are there guided tours? We provide free guided tours in July and August, on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Guided tours are also available throughout the year, for a cost, depending on the size of the group. Please contact us for more information. Can we have a picnic? Yes, there are picnic tables in Glebe Park near the entrance to the Sculpture Forest. Are visitors welcome at the College? Yes, Fleming College welcomes visitors. There is a café in the College, which is open on weekdays when the College is in session. Can we walk or bike from Haliburton Village to the Sculpture Forest? Yes – on the Head Lake trail – see the Village map for details.

Found objects and upcycling are at the heart of this moose-shaped sculpture created by Leo Sepa. Moose Scraps Leo Sepa Materials: Assemblage of retired vintage farm equipment and other hardware Description: Found metal objects formed into the shape of the moose Height: 2 metres, length 2.5 metres Installation Date: June, 2001 Number on Map: 10 Go to Gallery About the Work: Found objects are at the heart of this sculpture, aptly titled "Moose Scraps", an assemblage of retired vintage farm equipment and other hardware, formed into the shape of one of Canada's largest mammals, the moose. Like many of Leo’s sculptures, the 2.5 meter piece exudes wit and charm. < Back to Sculptures

Tucked into the forest lie three Art Huts with unique art installations within each. Discover S. Demers' cabinet of curiorities! < All Events Art Hut Installation: The Mystery Shack Tucked into the forest lie three Art Huts with unique art installations within each. Discover S. Demers' cabinet of curiorities! Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Friday, June 30, 2023 Address: Haliburton Sculpture Forest, College Drive, Haliburton, ON, Canada More About the Installation The Mystery Shack is a captivating exploration of the intersection between art, nature, and the surreal. Reminiscent of an historic Cabinet of Curiosities—a curated collection of objects that represent moments in time, as well as the exotic interests of its collector—this installation challenges our perceptions of what is natural and what is real. The works showcased are designed to create a sense of intrigue and wonder—drawing the audience into a world that is at once familiar and yet, strangely foreign. By featuring animals with bizarre and fantastical characteristics, this installation aims to explore the boundaries of our imagination and challenge our understanding of the natural world. Can we think beyond our industrialized and digitized present to a future where all creatures can co-exist without having to be placed in a museum or zoo, in order to appreciate the wonders of our earthly paradise? Photo Gallery: < Previous Next >

Peterborough born Don Frost had his future path laid out for him by winning first prize in a city wide art exposition at age six in grade one. The following year at age seven, Don had a group showing at the Peterborough Public Library. Public school had its usual trials and tribulations and it was not until grade 10 that Don discovered that he was colour blind to all but the primary colours. At this point Don’s life took a right turn and sculpture was all that he focused on. Don teamed up with a friend in grade 11 who became his art agent and they enjoyed considerable success in the Peterborough area. After high school Don took some time off to do his art and apprentice as a mechanic for a year. In 1973-74 he attended Sheridan Art College followed by a decision to become a professional sculptor having just received a major commission for a large 15' tall sculpture for a new mall being built in Peterborough, Ontario. This was followed by the creation of the largest sculpture in Canada in 1983 by winning a competition for an indoor work for the Michael Starr Building in Oshawa, Ontario. Always seeking new outlets for art Don acquired an art agent in Ottawa which led to an introduction to a patron who kept Don busy creating more than 40 sculptures in a period of twenty years. Don’s work internationally was recently a commission for four large works for a garden in Club Medjulis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Previously to this in an expansive design project by the late King Hussein for a 1.6 km wall of huge relief panels commemorating the history of Jordan, Don’s work on six of these panels was accepted by King Abdullah. Experiencing greater notoriety for the global uniqueness of his art, Don was presented with awards from Peterborough County and commemorated in the Walk of Fame. Presently Don has art representatives across the United States and Canada. Email: don.frost@sympatico.ca < All Artists Don Frost ABOUT SCULPTOR Artist Bio Peterborough born Don Frost had his future path laid out for him by winning first prize in a city wide art exposition at age six in grade one. The following year at age seven, Don had a group showing at the Peterborough Public Library. Public school had its usual trials and tribulations and it was not until grade 10 that Don discovered that he was colour blind to all but the primary colours. At this point Don’s life took a right turn and sculpture was all that he focused on. Don teamed up with a friend in grade 11 who became his art agent and they enjoyed considerable success in the Peterborough area. After high school Don took some time off to do his art and apprentice as a mechanic for a year. In 1973-74 he attended Sheridan Art College followed by a decision to become a professional sculptor having just received a major commission for a large 15' tall sculpture for a new mall being built in Peterborough, Ontario. This was followed by the creation of the largest sculpture in Canada in 1983 by winning a competition for an indoor work for the Michael Starr Building in Oshawa, Ontario. Always seeking new outlets for art Don acquired an art agent in Ottawa which led to an introduction to a patron who kept Don busy creating more than 40 sculptures in a period of twenty years. Don’s work internationally was recently a commission for four large works for a garden in Club Medjulis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Previously to this in an expansive design project by the late King Hussein for a 1.6 km wall of huge relief panels commemorating the history of Jordan, Don’s work on six of these panels was accepted by King Abdullah. Experiencing greater notoriety for the global uniqueness of his art, Don was presented with awards from Peterborough County and commemorated in the Walk of Fame. Presently Don has art representatives across the United States and Canada. Email: don.frost@sympatico.ca Artist Website Installed Sculptures Depth Previous Sculpture Next Sculpture

Primitive, organic shape, reminiscent of a bird's skull Depth Artist: Don Frost Name of Sculpture: Depth Material: Fiberglass and composites finished with graphite and prismatic paint. Height: 1.5 metres Description: Primitive, organic shape, reminiscent of a bird's skull Installation Date: 2022 Number on Map: 39 Go to Gallery About the Work I had a lot of fun making this piece during the COVID-19 lockdowns. It was a real escape from the world and just evolved into this primitive, organic shape. I live beside a bike trail and this piece brought in many people off the path to see what I was working on. The mount is also unusual for me, going up on a diagonal which gives the piece some extra movement. The finish is graphite, top coated in a prismatic gold to magenta paint. The piece is made from fibreglass and composites and is designed to withstand weather extremely well. About the Artist Peterborough born Don Frost had his future path laid out for him by winning first prize in a city wide art exposition at age six in grade one. The following year at age seven, Don had a group showing at the Peterborough Public Library. Public school had its usual trials and tribulations and it was not until grade 10 that Don discovered that he was colour blind to all but the primary colours. At this point Don’s life took a right turn and sculpture was all that he focused on. Don teamed up with a friend in grade 11 who became his art agent and they enjoyed considerable success in the Peterborough area. After high school Don took some time off to do his art and apprentice as a mechanic for a year. In 1973-74 he attended Sheridan Art College followed by a decision to become a professional sculptor having just received a major commission for a large 15' tall sculpture for a new mall being built in Peterborough, Ontario. This was followed by the creation of the largest sculpture in Canada in 1983 by winning a competition for an indoor work for the Michael Starr Building in Oshawa, Ontario. Always seeking new outlets for art Don acquired an art agent in Ottawa which led to an introduction to a patron who kept Don busy creating more than 40 sculptures in a period of twenty years. Don’s work internationally was recently a commission for four large works for a garden in Club Medjulis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Previously to this in an expansive design project by the late King Hussein for a 1.6 km wall of huge relief panels commemorating the history of Jordan, Don’s work on six of these panels was accepted by King Abdullah. Experiencing greater notoriety for the global uniqueness of his art, Don was presented with awards from Peterborough County and commemorated in the Walk of Fame. Presently Don has art representatives across the United States and Canada. < Back to Sculptures

John Beachli's sculpture To Cut or Not To Cut represents the conversations between father and son while working, and our relationship with the forest. < Back to Sculptures To Cut or Not To Cut John Beachli Materials: Local Granite Description: Father and son having a conversation over the stump of a recently felled tree. Installation Date: August, 2006 Number on Map: 15 Go to Gallery About the Sculpture: Haliburton County has a long history of men working in the forest, in logging camps—such those run by Mossom Boyd—or cutting timber on their own land and also a history of sons learning skills from their fathers as they helped them with their work. This sculpture, carved out of local stone recovered from rock blasted from the Pre-Cambrian shield at a nearby building site, tells the story of a man and his son having a conversation over the stump of a tree that has just been felled. “To Cut or Not to Cut” is about the conversations that occur when a son is working with his father. It is also a representation of the never-ending push and pull of our relationship with the forest. We need the timber for building shelter, for heat, for a thousand different reasons; we also need the forests to conserve our environment, to protect our water, to provide habitat and to purify the air. How do you decide what to cut and what not to cut?