SALEM — Eight new sculptures were installed along the Salem Harbor Connector Path last week for the second annual Salem Harbor Connector Path Sculpture Garden.
With funding from a MassTrails grant, and support from the Salem Public Art Commission and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, the Harbor Connector Path extends Salem’s multi-use trail network from the Peter Tracy Walkway at Collins Cove to the Bentley School and Derby Street.
“This exciting project is a continuation of our work to advance the vision of Salem’s Public Art Master Plan,” said Driscoll.
The new sculptures will be on display through Nov. 30, 2022.
An opening event and an Artists Meet & Greet will be held on Friday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at David J. Beattie Park, located at 4 Webb St. in Salem.
“The Harbor Connector Path Sculpture Garden continues to serve as an uplifting and engaging focal point in our community’s growing trail network and our collection of thoughtful, enriching public art,” Driscoll said.
This project was implemented by Julie Barry, Salem’s senior planner for arts and culture in the Department of Planning and Community Development, in partnership with independent sculpture curator Judith Klien.
The first sculpture garden along the path opened on Dec. 1, 2020 and was the first long-term public display of contemporary sculptures in the city in recent history.
“Seeing the success of last year’s sculpture garden and how much the community truly loved and appreciated the installation, we just had to keep it going and are incredibly excited to continue the project with these eight new sculptures,” said Barry.
The eight new sculptures will replace the seven previously on display and there is no charge to view and walk through the sculpture garden and path.
“Our goal is to meet people where they are with art and provide a sense of joy, whimsy, and discovery for the residents of Salem and visitors alike,” Barry said. “We look forward to what these new sculptures will bring to our community and hope to continue this tradition for many years to come.”
The artists who have work on display in the new Sculpture Garden include Eve Lee Schauer, Nancy Schon, Melanie Zibit, Madeleine Lord, Will Smith Cabrera, Karin Stanley, Salem State graduate Cassie Doyon and Robert Osborne.
Information about these artists and their work is available at www.salem.com/public-art-commission or by scanning the QR codes on the signs that accompany the art along the path.
In addition to these eight new sculptures — which are being loaned temporarily — the city is looking to purchase a piece from the first Sculpture Garden entitled ‘Seahorse,’ by artist Jose Criollo, to become part of the city’s permanent public art collection.
This piece was previously featured on the cover of Salem Magazine and is made of recycled metals from chairs, tools, auto parts, pots, pans, and more.
The city already has $6,000 of the $12,500 needed to buy the piece, so if anyone wants to contribute to buying the sculpture, they can make a donation at Patronicity.com/SeahorseForSalem.
The city also gave a special thank you to the crew from the Department of Public Services and the Salem Harbormaster’s office, who supported this installation and whose hard work made these installations possible.
