Lower Makefield Township recently installed a display of eight sculptures from renowned artist and New Jersey native Seward Johnson. The life-size sculptures will be on display for residents and visitors to enjoy through September 1st.
“We are delighted to welcome a new dimension to our park system through the installation and display of these beautiful and unique sculptures,” said Fred Weiss, Chairman of the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors.
The sculptures, which are part of Johnson’s “Celebrating the Familiar” series, depict everyday people going about their daily lives. From a woman playing tennis to a man playing music these sculptures are designed to capture the beauty of ordinary life and make it extraordinary.
“We are thrilled to bring these sculptures to our community,” said Bette Sovinee, Executive Director of AOY Art Center. “Seward Johnson is one of the world’s most talented sculptors, and his work has the power to inspire, entertain, and uplift all who view it. We can’t wait for our residents and visitors to experience the joy of these beautiful sculptures firsthand.”
Recently the Township embraced a new vision for Parks and Recreation “Play for All,” which will serve as a theme for the sculptures this year throughout the Parks. As residents visit the sculptures, they can Celebrate the Familiar while experiencing play in an entirely new way.
“This is a great opportunity for the Township to diversify programming and meet the needs of residents no matter their age, race or ability” said Monica Tierney, Lower Makefield Township Parks and Recreation Director. “The programming we intend to offer in partnership with Artists of Yardley will provide opportunities for the residents to connect, engage and experience something that they have not experienced in Lower Makefield Township previously.”
The exhibition is made possible through a grant from Visit Bucks County with Lower Makefield and AOY Art Center providing the matching funds. The funds will be used for the installation, maintenance, and interactive programming around the exhibit.
The sculptures will be on display at Lower Makefield Township Community Center, Kids Kingdom Playground, Veterans Square, four sculptures will be at Memorial Park, the home of the PA state 9/11 monument. In addition, one sculpture will be on display at Patterson Farm which houses the AOY Art Center.
This program is a direct response to a community needs assessment that was distributed in 2021/2022 that found residents were interested in more arts and culture within the Township. When this came to light, AOY Art Center reached out to the Township to determine a joint course of action and with a little creative thinking, a plan for Art in the Parks emerged.
This program is made possible by a partnership with Lower Makefield Township, AOY Art Center, Visit Bucks County and The Seward Johnson Atelier. For more information about the Seward Johnson sculpture exhibit, including event dates, sculpture locations, and to engage with the interactive elements, visit Art in The Parks | Lower Makefield Township (lmt.org).
PHOTO CAP: The “God Bless America” sculpture at Patterson Farm