New Sculpture Garden Coming To The Harbor Connector Path In Salem

Press release from Destination Salem:

November 30, 2020

The City of Salem recently announced the upcoming installation of seven sculptures along the Salem Harbor Connector Path. The sculptures will be on display December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021 in celebration of the path’s completion over the summer.

The sculpture project was led by Julie Barry, the City’s Senior Planner for Arts & Culture in the Department of Planning and Community Development through a partnership with sculpture curator Judith Klien. Barry’s work on the project was part of the Salem Public Art Commission’s Art Master Plan and it served as a way to reinforce the City’s commitment to expanding accessibility for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore downtown Salem.

The works were created by David Boyajian, Jose Criollo, Shawn Farrell, Gints Grinbergs, James Meyer, and Robin Tost, and they are the first long-term temporary display of contemporary sculptures in Salem for some time. Information on the sculptures and the artists will be available via QR codes along the pathway.

Situated along the Salem Harbor Connector Path, the sculptures will become part of the downtown talking experience from the Peter Tracy Walkway at Collins Cove to the Bentley School and Derby Street then along the new protected bike lanes on Fort Avenue. The sculptures, along with these and other walking trails make up Salem’s multiuse trail network and will continue to allow for expanded walking and biking routes and downtown recreational offerings.

The City of Salem is hosting a ribbon cutting in celebration of the opening of the Harbor Connector Path and the new sculpture exhibit on December 3, 2020 at 1:00 pm. This event is not open to the public due to COVID-19 but may be streamed live on the City’s Facebook page.

The sculpture project was funded in part through a MassTrails grant, and the City of Salem extends their thanks to the crews from the City’s Engineering Department and Department of Public Services for helping to make this project a success.

This press release was produced by Destination Salem. The views expressed here are the author’s own.