Andrew Rothfischer has studied art both in Canada and abroad. While he has been on the artist's path for many years, in 2009 he finally graduated from the Haliburton School of Arts with a diploma in Visual Arts. Andrew specializes in two seemingly disparate areas; pastel paintings of landscapes and outdoor sculptures. His paintings often highlight places in nature that we tend to overlook or take for granted. In 2004 he produced the exhibit, “Jackson Creek – Travels through an Urban Watershed” that featured 25 paintings depicting the hard realities and the beauty that shape urban waterways today. Since that time, this idea of special places has evolved into the theme of “Sense of Place" that has continued in the the current series, the "Warsaw Project". Andrew's sculptures are almost exclusively created for the outdoors. They are designed to live in a field or in a garden. They are sometimes functional garden accents like dividers, bird baths or benches. The materials used are kiln formed glass, stone, cement or metal retrieved from the local junkyard. He works with these hard materials - fusing, casting, molding and shaping, reclaiming -, to create new forms that both startle and delight the viewer with their simplicity and beauty. So how do these two disciplines tie together? For the artist, the paintings are "of the land"; recognizing and capturing the essence of those special places that stir us. The sculptures take these impressions a step further. They play with those same colours and shapes and light, creating forms that are "on the land". Both forms, however, in their own way, celebrate and pay homage to the landscape around us. For information about the purchase of Lissome#5 or other of Andy's works visit andrewrothfischer-art.com or contact info@haliburtonsculptureforest.ca < All Artists Andrew Rothfischer ABOUT SCULPTOR Artist Bio Andrew Rothfischer has studied art both in Canada and abroad. While he has been on the artist's path for many years, in 2009 he finally graduated from the Haliburton School of Arts with a diploma in Visual Arts. Andrew specializes in two seemingly disparate areas; pastel paintings of landscapes and outdoor sculptures. His paintings often highlight places in nature that we tend to overlook or take for granted. In 2004 he produced the exhibit, “Jackson Creek – Travels through an Urban Watershed” that featured 25 paintings depicting the hard realities and the beauty that shape urban waterways today. Since that time, this idea of special places has evolved into the theme of “Sense of Place" that has continued in the the current series, the "Warsaw Project". Andrew's sculptures are almost exclusively created for the outdoors. They are designed to live in a field or in a garden. They are sometimes functional garden accents like dividers, bird baths or benches. The materials used are kiln formed glass, stone, cement or metal retrieved from the local junkyard. He works with these hard materials - fusing, casting, molding and shaping, reclaiming -, to create new forms that both startle and delight the viewer with their simplicity and beauty. So how do these two disciplines tie together? For the artist, the paintings are "of the land"; recognizing and capturing the essence of those special places that stir us. The sculptures take these impressions a step further. They play with those same colours and shapes and light, creating forms that are "on the land". Both forms, however, in their own way, celebrate and pay homage to the landscape around us. For information about the purchase of Lissome#5 or other of Andy's works visit andrewrothfischer-art.com or contact info@haliburtonsculptureforest.ca Artist Website Installed Sculptures Lissome 5 Previous Sculpture Next Sculpture

Mary Ellen Farrow All Sculptures A Walk in the Woods in Haliburton Number on Map 12 Artist Mary Ellen Farrow Material Limestone, Bronze Installation Date June 1, 2001 Learn About the Artist Mary Ellen sculpted “A Walk in the Woods in Haliburton”, at the studio of local sculptor John Beachli. The limestone and bronze piece stands 1.5 meters high and has been mounted on a granite base. The broad rounded lines conform to the natural character of the stone. The hiker, holding a bronze cast of a maple leaf , shows movement and emotion, but demands reaction. The contrast of the limestone to the summer forest creates a pleasant surprise as you approach it, but in winter blends in with a top hat and arm-full of snow. Artist Statement: I work almost exclusively in stone using broad, rounded, rhythmic lines that conform to the natural character of the stones. My goal is to produce work that is tactile, shows movement and emotion, but demands reaction. The work should speak for itself without explanation or title, but be able to be interpreted by individuals in their own way. The challenge of working on large public sculpture is most rewarding. I enjoy the mental contest of finding the idea, relating the idea to the history and environment of the site and then bring the idea to fruition. My recent monumental sculptures have had an intricate bronze detail added to them to give them a distinct flavour and contrast beautifully with the smooth lines of the stones. More Photos Previous Next

Angus Sullivan < Back Originally Published On: July 18, 2017 Originally Published By: Haliburton Echo Wind Dervish Written By: Angus Sullivan Work created by John McKinnon in 2017. There have been a number of new additions to the Haliburton Sculpture Forest this summer. As part of the celebration of Canada, Ontario, and Dysart’s 150, four artists, from around the world and across the country, were invited to Haliburton to take part in the 2017 Sculpture Symposium. Each sculptor was charged with creating a new piece for the Sculpture Forest out of a large block of limestone based on the theme “Carved on the Canadian Shield.” John McKinnon, one of four sculptors, created “Wind Dervish”. For John, trips across the Canadian Shield conjure up images of stone, wind, and timelessness. Over thousands of years, the stone that never seems to change is picked up, microscopic by microscopic layer and carried off by the wind. The wind, which shows itself in the things it moves and shapes, is an expression of time. John wanted this piece to think outside of time. Thousands of years have been compressed into a moment, and the layer of stone has risen up and is dancing like a Dervish in the wind. All four sculptors began with the same stone and the same task, but each came up with a unique and creative vision for their sculptures. Come to the Grand Opening of “Carved on the Canadian Shield” on Tuesday, July 25th at 5:00 – 6:00 at the Sculpture Forest for a reception, dedication and audio presentations by the artists about the new sculptures. For a guided walk through Haliburton’s history along the Head Lake Trail to the Grand Opening, meet at 4:00 pm at the Rails End Gallery, 23 York Street, Haliburton. Return transportation will be provided. The Haliburton Sculpture Forest is located in Glebe Park on 297 College Drive. It is open dawn to dusk with free guided tours in July and August on Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am, and on Wednesdays at 12:10 – 12:50pm. Meet at the information kiosk next to the parking lot at Fleming College. You can use the Sculpture Forest app (download PocketSights and search for Haliburton) or visit www.haliburtonsculptureforest.ca to learn more about the sculptures. < Previous Article Next Article >

Nyasha Mabika All Sculptures Happy Hippo Number on Map 42 Artist Nyasha Mabika Material Polished Springstone Installation Date November 30, 2024 Learn About the Artist The Happy Hippo sculpture was created using springstone from Zimbabwe. This sculpture was exhibited at the ZimArt Rice lake Gallery, just outside of Peterborough. The owner, Fran Fearnley retired in the fall of 2023, closing her gallery permanently. She donated the Happy Hippo to the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. The Happy Hippo was part of the Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition 2024 and was installed in the Haliburton Sculpture Forest in November 2024. Nyasha Mabika lives in Epworth, Zimbabwe. More Photos Previous Next

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

Youkie Stagg < Back Originally Published On: January 1, 2016 Originally Published By: Haliburton Echo Beaver Written By: Youkie Stagg Work created by Mary Anne Barkhouse, Michael Belmore, and 2002 HHSS Visual Arts students. The beaver is a symbol of many things, for Canada it is a symbol of the fur trade which allowed for Canada to gain wealth and attention in its early years and become the country that it is today. In opposition to this, “Beaver” tackles the idea of nature taking back from humanity. Barkhouse and Belmore worked together with the high school art students to teach them the process to make a public sculpture. In the early stages of the planning process the class wanted to create an army of beavers, then the plan adapted into a beaver chewing down a parking meter, then the plan was adapted to a beaver chewing down a lamp post. However these ideas were either too time consuming or too expensive and when the Municipality of Minden Hills was able to donate a lamppost, the piece evolved to what it is today. The Sculpture Forest offers free guided tours 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 >

Noelle Dupret Smith < Back Originally Published On: August 7, 2018 Originally Published By: Haliburton Sculpture Forest Sculptures Redefined Written By: Noelle Dupret Smith Have you walked past the large, compelling sculpture in downtown Haliburton in front of Wind in the Willows Spa? That is “This Side Up #9 “Shall We Dance” by Michael Truelove. At first glance, this sculpture looks like a many-faceted hexagon. This piece piques my curiosity—demanding a closer look. In reality the sculpture is a deconstructed cube, however the artist has manipulated the flat pieces of steel so that the sculpture looks as if it is jumping towards main street. A black, steel sculpture in the Sculpture Forest, also requiring a deeper look, is “Terminus” by Marianne Reim. It stands mysteriously on a large boulder; set back from the path. Look closely and you can see hands covering a face; while a winged shape covers the head. I get a lot of interesting reactions to this sculpture from people on tours. For my group last week, it brought to mind “The Flying Nun” from the 1970’s sitcom. For me, a more sombre interpretation resonates. This sculpture was acquired in 2002, the beginning of the war in Afghanistan. Pictures of women in burkas were in the news. For some people, the sculpture evoked this image. Look closer still and you see a barbed-wire ring on a finger—does this allude to an unwanted marriage or losing a partner at war? The longer you think about it, the more poignant the story. That is the great part about sculptures, everyone sees them differently. Sometimes you just need to look a little deeper to find your own story. Please wander down main street of Haliburton and see the Downtown Sculpture exhibition and visit Haliburton Sculpture Forest. The Sculpture Forest offers free tours, Tuesdays 10:00–11:30am and Wednesdays 12:10–12:50pm. You can see the Sculpture Forest in motion tonight (August 7) as the contemporary dance company, Throwdown Collective, performs with local artists (5:00pm picnic, 6:00-7:30pm show). www.haliburtonsculptureforest/re-imagined < Previous Article Next Article >

2023 < All Sculptures 2023 Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition Contact Artist for Pricing Night Szonja Vucsetics Night Plane & Cedar Logs “Night” consists of two wooden sculptures side-by-side, depicting a reclining human figure wrapped in a blanket, sleeping beside a small campfire. The figure is carved out of a single plane tree log, and the fire from a cedar stump. Stained black, with pieces of shell and metal flake inlay, the blanket depicts a night sky rendering an image of the universe. This installation explores the connection between micro- and macrocosm (mortal human life within vast infinity), and nature as our beginning, ending, nurturer and destroyer. Szonja Vucsetics Szonja Vucsetics is a Hungarian - Canadian artist based in Toronto, working primarily in oil paint and mixed media on paper. She graduated in drawing and painting from OCAD University in 2007 and has lived and worked in Hungary, Jamaica and Canada. Fascinated from early childhood by the expressive voice of colour in nature and visual imagery, Vucsetics looked to expressionism and storybook illustrations to relate her work through her early years as an artist. Using art as a therapy through life experiences, traumas and journeys, her work continuously developed as a visual journal telling the story of lived and subconscious experiences. Her illustrative works speak the visual language of stories and dreams, playfully blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination, impression and expression, representation and abstraction. Through material explorations with brushwork and colour, her work often focuses on our relationship to land as the place that holds our stories. Recently, Vucsetics has been working on narrative depictions of nature and landscape as an allegory for the human conditions of death, rebirth, joy and suffering. Artist Contact Information Email : szonjatics@gmail.com Website : szonjasstudio.ca Phone Number: 647-909-5897 Instagram: @ szonjasstudio Facebook: Szonja's Studio

2025 < All Sculptures 2025 Downtown Haliburton Sculpture Exhibition Not For Sale Ma'iingan Jared Tait Ma'iingen This two sided woodland painting of a spirit wolf is part of a larger installation "Bawaajigan" "To Dream" located in the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. (see Bawaajigan ) Jared Tait Jared Tait is a member of the Sachigo Lake First Nation an Oji-Cree First Nation in Treaty 9, territory in the far north of Ontario near the Manitoba border. Jared was raised in Thunder Bay. He currently resides with his family in the countryside near Bancroft. In 2018, Jared began painting under the mentorship of his father, Tim Tait, a self-taught artist. Jared recalls his childhood being surrounded by his father’s paintings and being told stories within them. Since his exposure to art at a young age, Jared has created a strong appreciation and connection to art. Through his understanding of the Woodland style and the methods of telling stories through his work, Jared captures the deep relations to the land and its creatures. He builds on these motivations to preserve the sacred stories, symbolism and teachings. Jared creates imagery inspired by his personal and spiritual experiences and hopes to pass his teachings on to future generations.

Artists The Sculpture Forest features works from artists across the globe. Aaron Galbraith Carolanne MacLean Charmaine Lurch Doug Stephens Ian LaBlance Jiří Genzer John Shaw-Rimmington Marianne Reim Metalgenesis: Don Dickson & Amy Doolittle Peter Wehrspann Scott McKay Tarzan Sithole Andrew Rothfischer Carole Turner Darlene Bolahood George Pratt Jake Mol John Beachli Kevin Lockau Mary Anne Barkhouse Michael Belmore Phillip Vander Weg Simon Chidharara Tizirai Gumbere Brett Davis Charles O'Neil Don Frost Gord Peteran Jared Tait John McKinnon Leo Sepa Mary Ellen Farrow Nyasha Mabika Richard Shanks Susan Low-Beer William Lishman

Sculptures of the Sculpture Forest Gallery A - Z Map Order G A Life Well Lived Annette Blady and Al Van Mil View More 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 41 Catharsis Rene Petitjean 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 46 Friends Marlene Kawalez 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 45 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 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 41 Catharsis Rene Petitjean View More 42 Happy Hippo Nyasha Mabika View More 43 Bawaajigan - To Dream Jared Tait View More 44 Quadratic Whisper George Hart View More 45 Superior Scott Childs View More 46 Friends Marlene Kawalez View More A Evolution Don Dickson, Amy Doolittle View More Art Hut Wild Bees Charmaine Lurch View More B Current Peter Wehrspann View More C Spirit of the Wild Aaron Galbraith View More

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 >