Haddonfield Celebrates Sculpture Month In April

HADDONFIELD, NJ - April is Sculpture Month in Haddonfield, and the borough is celebrating with free family entertainment each Saturday. The highlight of the month will take place on April 27, when the new Children’s Sculpture Zoo will open as part of the fifth annual International Sculpture Day.

“Dozens of volunteers have created a month of sculpture-oriented fun for all ages,” Stuart Harting said. “And almost everything is free.” Harting is the founder and chair of the nonprofit Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST). The schedule includes:

• April 1-26: Scavenger Hunt! Pick up the clues at schools, Library (60 Haddon Avenue) or the Haddonfield Information Center (2 Kings Court); enter to win town-wide gift certificates.
• April 6: Meet & greet “Haddy” sculptor John Giannotti, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lantern Lane.
• April 6, 13, 20 & 27: Guided Walking Tours leave the Haddonfield Information Center, 4 Kings Court, Haddonfield 08033. at noon, rain or shine, at a nominal cost of only $5 per adult and children for free. Free self-guided tours anytime are easy with free maps at most downtown shops and restaurants.
• April 13: Dedication and reception for “Ballerina” with sculptor Barry Woods Johnston and ballet dancers from Artists in Motion, near the rotary near 41 SouthHaddon Avenue at 2 p.m. Little ballerinas invited to wear costumes and dance along!
• April 13, 20 & 27: Visit Haddy and shop at the pop-up-Up DinoStore from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. for dinosaur T’s, books and hatching eggs! Order your personalized brick to be installed in Haddy Lane.
• April 18: Hands-on free arts activities at the Haddonfield Public Library at 1 p.m. for toddlers and at 3:30 p.m. for those six and up. View the best of a showcase of elementary school students coloring several sculptures around town.
• April 27: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., kids ages 5-12 are invited to the Markeim Arts Center (104 Walnut Street) to create their own sculptures using recycled and found objects. Free; adult supervision required. The Markeim Student Art Exhibit will be on display in the gallery. Those who register and pay in full for Summer Camp receive a special discount.
• April 27: Celebrate International Sculpture Day with the dedication of 4 brand-new sculptures. At 2 p.m., “My Dog Blue” will be unveiled on the sidewalk at Kings Highway and Haddon Avenue. “My Dog Blue” is a new polymerized gypsum piece by John Giannotti with Bill Massey of “King,” a Husky who accompanied Arctic explorer Matthew Henson when he reached the North Pole in 1909 as part of Robert Peary’s team. BYOD – Bring Your Own Dog – and dog treats. The new Children’s Sculpture Zoo will open at 3:00pm, at Tatem Garden at Kings Highway East and Evergreen Lane, with three bronze animals – “Toad,” “Bunny Rabbit” and “Sea Lion,” all by sculptor Eric Berg. These three pieces were voted as most popular as part of a festival last October. Kids are invited to wear their favorite animal costume to get stickers, animal crackers, toys and other goodies from the Zookeepers.

The Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST) is a nonprofit public/private outdoor art initiative bringing traditional and contemporary works by noted sculptors to the downtown district, some permanent and some rotating, creating an ever-evolving public gallery. Our mission is to build on the great tradition of public art here and around the world. Several sculptures have been purchased by residents and donated to the Borough of Haddonfield on a permanent basis; others are on loan or lease from the artist and are available for purchase for private or public use.