Join the festivities for the 4th annual “April is Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Month” with fun for all ages. Tour nearly two dozen figurative and abstract sculptures, meet sculptors, watch a live casting of a famous bust of Camden poet Walt Whitman, take a guided or self-guided tour, and more.
“Volunteers have created a month of sculpture-oriented activities and nearly everything is free,” said Stuart Harting, founder and Chair of HOST, the nonprofit Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust. The schedule includes:
- Saturday, April 2: At 1 p.m. in Kings Court, watch famous local sculptor John Giannotti, who created “Haddy” among many other pieces worldwide, create a polyurethane casting of “I Sing the Body Electric,” a 22” tall bust of poet Walt Whitman. Rain date is April 3, also at 1 p.m.
- April 4 to 15: “DIY Sculpture in a Box”: Kids ages 5+ and up can pick up a free bag of supplies at the Haddonfield Public Library to create their own unique sculptures, in cooperation with the Markeim Arts Center and the Library. Then take a selfie and post to social media by Friday, April 29. No judging, no prizes, just fun! While supplies last.
- Saturdays, April 9 and April 23: Free professionally-led walking tours leave at 12noon from “Haddy,” the dinosaur sculpture in Lantern Lane on Kings Highway, led by sculptor John Giannotti. Rain dates the following days (April 10 and April 24).
- All month: Kids can pick up a “Haddy Snack” of pennies to feed the dinosaur, while supplies last, at Melange Children’s Boutique, 45 Kings Highway East.
- Free self-guided tours anytime with easy walking directions online at www.HaddonfieldSculpture.org including the world’s only Children’s Sculpture Zoo at the corner of Kings Highway East and Evergreen Lane, with its life-size bronze sculptures of the famous baby elephant “Ndotto,” Tumi the giraffe, and “Toad,” “Bunny Rabbit” and “Sea Lion.”
- Join sculpture lovers around the world in celebrating April 30 as International Sculpture Day. An invitation-only fundraiser will be held at a private Haddonfield home filled with nearly 1,000 pieces of art.
The Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST) is a nonprofit public/private outdoor educational art initiative bringing traditional and contemporary works by noted sculptors to the downtown district, some permanent and some rotating. Its mission is to build on the great tradition of public art. Several sculptures have been purchased by residents and donated to the Borough of Haddonfield on a permanent basis. Many others are on loan or lease from the artist, and are available for purchase for private or public use. These temporary sculptures constitute an ever-evolving outdoor gallery where they can be enjoyed by all until they find a permanent home.
Photographs and descriptions of all sculptures, as well as self-guided walking tours, can be found at www.HaddonfieldSculpture.org and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at HOST08033.
