Haliburton Sculpture Forest: 2021

Anyone who follows my travel blog might have figured out by now that I love sculptures and especially giant ones in outdoor sculpture gardens.  For years now, my husband Rich and I have headed up to the Haliburton Highlands in the summer to visit our good friend, who has a beautiful waterfront home on Otter Lake.  It was not until this summer that we learned there is a magnificent sculpture forest in Glebe Park, right next to the Fleming College’s Haliburton School of the Arts.  Created in 2001, the forest features over 40 sculptures from both Canadian and international artists, nestled amongst the maple trees along walking trails where birds, fox, deer and other wildlife can also be found.

The  Haliburton Sculpture Forest receives at least one new sculpture each year, continuing to expand its collection.  Needing to withstand the Canadian climate, the works are made from sturdy materials such as steel, metal, granite, wood, cement.  Having a sculpture garden in a forest combines two great pleasures of ours—viewing art in the form of giant sculptures, and strolling through woodlands.  “Homesteaders” depict a family unit of father, mother, child and dog, made from old telephone poles and farm instruments.  “Pan”, the goat-like Greek god of fields and forests playing the pan-flute was carved from a 8,700kg granite block.  “Embracing Eos”, is giant sculpture made of wire and steel of a man facing due East, with arms raised in tribute to Eos, the Greek Goddess of Dawn.  Perched on a rock, from far away I thought it was a conductor with arms raised to direct his orchestra to start playing.

One of the most stunning works was a two-metre tall red and crystal stiletto shoe made of steel wire and crystal glass beads.  Titled “Fire and Ice: A Really Big Shoe”, the sculpture was one of many that were created by Charles O’Neil, after he was first commissioned to create for shoe designer Stuart Weitzman’s corporate office.  It was really cool to see such an unexpected sight in the middle of a forest.  Much more typical is the granite sculpture “Together We Explore the Wild”, depicting two children riding on the back of a bear.  Redwing Frond is a 14-foot-tall leaf or feather with colourfully painted acrylic panels attached to the curved metal spine that points due north.  Kennisis: Horse and Rider is a celebration of movement and muscle power, inspired by the heroic physical feats of Terry Fox and Steve Fonyo.  The whimsical giant dandelion sculpture made of powder-coated steel has the words “I See A Wish” inscribed on one of its leaves, which is also the title of the sculpture.