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

Charles O'Neil All Sculptures Fire and Ice: A Really Big Shoe Number on Map 20 Artist Charles O'Neil Material Milled Steel, Czech Fire Polished Glass Beads, Faceted Crystal Glass Beads, Stainless Steel Wire Installation Date May 1, 2009 Learn About the Artist A few years ago Charles O'Neil was displaying his work at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia, when his wire sculptures of animals and human figures caught the eye of world renowned shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. Weitzman, impressed with the sculptures, approached O’Neil and asked him to sculpt wire shoes for their corporate art collection. O’Neil was delighted to take on the challenge. Designing a shoe sculpture for Weitzman added a new dimension to O’Neil's work. Aside from exposing his work to a broader audience, it also inspired him to create a series of shoe sculptures, adding glass beads to the wire structures. O’Neil's shoe sculptures turned many heads as they appeared in art shows and galleries across the Haliburton Highlands and Ontario. When Barb Bolin retired as principal of Fleming College, Haliburton Campus, and the Haliburton School of The Arts in 2007, after 35 years with the College, her friends and coworkers donated to a fund to help buy a sculpture for the Forest in her honour. Bolin was asked to choose which artist would be commissioned to create the sculpture, and it wasn't long before her mind turned to Charles O’Neil and his brilliant shoes. Bolin believed that O’Neil would be a good choice for many reasons. He had already contributed to the Sculpture Forest with his piece Embracing Eos, which has delighted many visitors, so she knew his work would 'fit in' well. O’Neil also lives in the Highlands, and Bolin was interested in commissioning work from a local artist. She loved the fact that O’Neil's shoe sculptures are bright, bold, and colourful, and Bolin wanted to add an extra dash of colour to the Sculpture Forest. O’Neil gladly accepted the commission, and began researching for the project. Deciding to create a shoe of grand proportions, and realizing that the sculpture would have to endure the harsh elements of the Highlands, he crafted his sculpture out of steel rods, stainless steel wiring, and large fire glazed glass beads from the Czech Republic and faceted clear beads from China. Fire and Ice: A Really Big Shoe was installed in the Sculpture Forest in the spring of 2009. More Photos Previous Next

John Shaw-Rimmington, Students of the 2015 Dry Stone Structures Course All Sculptures Spiral Ascent Number on Map 26 Artist John Shaw-Rimmington, Students of the 2015 Dry Stone Structures Course Material Locally Quarried Granite Installation Date July 1, 2015 Learn About the Artist The Spiral Ascent is a dry stone cairn with a spiralling grassy walkway, made with locally quarried granite. It was designed by John Shaw-Rimmington and constructed by students of the 2015 Dry Stone Structures Course at Fleming College, Haliburton School of the Arts. More Photos Previous Next

Marlene Kawalez All Sculptures Friends Number on Map 46 Artist Marlene Kawalez Material Winterstone and mixed media Installation Date May 1, 2026 Learn About the Artist The connection we have with nature is beautifully represented in this sculpture. “Friends” is created with winterstone and mixed media. Artist Statement: For the past few years, I have been creating pieces that often explore themes of life, the reflection of time, and the peeling away of exterior layers to reveal internal intricacies. In many ways, it is an introspection into my personal journey and that of others that I was privy to observe. The purpose behind my work is to expose, express, and provide insight into the raw emotions involved in the journey of life through clay, wood, and glass. The application of wood and clay is essential as a direct conduit to the root of nature and our existence. Glass, in retrospect, represents the fragility of life and the continuity of movement and time. More Photos Previous Next

Tarzan Sithole All Sculptures Matriarchy Number on Map 36 Artist Tarzan Sithole Material Polished Springstone Installation Date November 1, 2020 Learn About the Artist Tarzan Sithole is a third-generation Zimbabwean stone sculptor. His works are also on display at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and the Kew Gardens in London. This sculpture was donated by Sue Black and Chris Ralphs who owned a gallery in Mississauga. More Photos Previous Next

John Shaw-Rimmington All Sculptures C to C Number on Map 16 Artist John Shaw-Rimmington Material Locally Quarried Granite Gneiss Installation Date May 1, 2007 Learn About the Artist Almost 25 tons of stone purchased from Attia Quarries close to Minden, Ontario was used for the hands-on, week-long Dry Stone Structures course given May 2007 at the Haliburton School of Art + Design. The finished structure represents the work of 12 capable students who came from as far away as Montana, Washington and Ottawa to attend this comprehensive dry stone wall workshop. 'C to C' is a free standing dry laid sculpture designed by DSWAC president John Shaw-Rimmington. It uses an attractive locally quarried random granite gneiss carefully fitted together to form two semi-circular walls. The idea is based on taking a typical dry laid sheepfold (the type you see all over parts of England and Scotland) and then slicing it down the middle and shifting one side several feet along the line of bi-section. (Sort of a 'Sheep Shear'). In effect, a charming new structure is created presenting a winding pathway through two C shaped walls. The height of the two walls, including the vertical rugged coping, is nearly 4 and a half feet high; standing between them, there is a dynamic interior space which is intimate and inviting. We have called the dry laid structure "C to C" as it alludes not only to the different parts of North America that people came from to build the structure, but also the growing interest there is in traditional dry stone construction all over Canada and the States, from sea to sea. More Photos Previous Next

Leo Sepa All Sculptures Flying Debris Number on Map 28 Artist Leo Sepa Material Assemblage of mechanical hardware, tools and re-bar Installation Date August 1, 2016 Learn About the Artist Found objects are at the heart of this sculpture, aptly titled "Flying Debris", an assemblage of mechanical hardware, tools and re-bar, formed into the shape of one of the most distinctive local birds, the blue heron. Like many of Leo’s sculptures, the piece and the title exudes wit and whimsy. More Photos Previous Next

Scott Childs All Sculptures Superior Number on Map 45 Artist Scott Childs Material Corten Steel Installation Date October 4, 2025 Learn About the Artist Scott moved his sculpture studio to Haliburton in 2019 following 35 years making art in Toronto. Originally from Thunder Bay, York University drew him to Toronto in the early 80's to study art, receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1987. Exhibiting both his sculpture and drawings in solo and group shows, his work appeared in a wide variety of venues including commercial dealers, artist run spaces, and regional art galleries. Collaborating with fellow artists, Scott was integral to several early collectives organizing their own exhibitions in industrial spaces in the early 90s and into the next millennium. In addition to private collections, much of Scott’s work consists of large commissions by architects and clients such as The Meeting Place (Toronto), Strachan House (Toronto), The Children’s Museum (Kitchener), plus numerous restaurants. “I feel very fortunate to be living and making work in a community that values the efforts of artists” More Photos Previous Next

Doug Stephens All Sculptures Sleep of the Huntress Number on Map 14 Artist Doug Stephens Material Belmont Rose Granite Installation Date August 1, 2004 Learn About the Artist Walking through the forest is, for me, a time of contemplation: of peace and reflection. I see the viewer coming upon a rock, a ruddy rock, fitting for this place but not of this place. It is rough hewn and gnarled. As they approach it becomes evident that they are not alone; that they have happened upon an elegant sleeping woman, lost in the deep world of dreams. She exists in a spiritual realm: out of time and immaterial. All is quiet except for the sounds of the woods. The viewer is held for a moment in silence: hesitant and reflective in the presence of this woman of nature, calmly nestled on her craggy bed. More Photos Previous Next

George Pratt All Sculptures Pan Number on Map 02 Artist George Pratt Material Salt and Pepper Granite Installation Date May 1, 2003 Learn About the Artist One of Pan’s favourite sports was pursuing beautiful wood nymphs that strayed into the high forests where he lived. His strange, coarse goat-like features frightened the nymphs and they would flee in fear of him. From this we got the term “panic”. He was particularly smitten by one nymph whose name was Syrinx but she did not welcome his attentions. One day, being pursued by Pan, she came to the river. Exhausted, she beseeched the water nymphs to protect her. Just as Pan was about to grasp her, she was transformed into one of the many reeds that grew along the river bank. Frustrated, Pan plucked the reeds and fashioned them into the first flute. Since that day, he can be found playing sweet music on the flute which is the embodiment of his unrequited love. We have come to call his instrument the ‘pan-flute’ but more correctly, its name is Syrinx after Pan’s lost nymph. This sculpture was carved out of an 8,700 Kg (19,300 Lbs) block. By the time the sculpture was completed, George had removed more than 3,000 Kg (7,000 Lbs) of stone, an impressive feat considering the work was done outdoors in blackfly season! More Photos Previous Next

John Shaw-Rimmington All Sculptures Unity Gate Number on Map 24 Artist John Shaw-Rimmington Material Locally Quarried Granite Installation Date August 1, 2013 Learn About the Artist The Unity Gate is an archway and curling dry stone walls, made with locally quarried granite. It was designed by John Shaw-Rimmington and constructed by students of the 2013 Dry Stone Structures Course at Fleming College, Haliburton School of the Arts. More Photos Previous Next

John McKinnon All Sculptures Atmo-Sphere Number on Map 23 Artist John McKinnon Material Locally Quarried Granite Installation Date August 1, 2013 Learn About the Artist One of the truly amazing things about Haliburton County is its forests and other quiet places. Inspired by this and the phrase “A Secret Space” John created Atmo-Sphere. It provides a hidden entrance in a large granite sphere for quiet reflection in the outdoors. Within the enclosure is a bench to sit and contemplate the quote on the floor. Don't forget to look up and enjoy the view while being embraced by the sounds of nature all around. The circular space in the roof was inspired by the architecture of the Pantheon. John spent four weeks in August and September 2013 creating this work. The stone for the dome is from the McBain Quarrie near Minden. The bench is created from West Coast cedar. John created the floor tiles out of polished granite in his studio in Nelson B.C. More Photos Previous Next