Art in the Park
Hudson Crossing Park is home to many unique features, not the least of which are the sculptures that can be found along the trails, hidden among the trees, and at home in the field. Upon their arrival to the park, one of the first things visitors see is our iconic gate, created by artist Leif Johnson. He perhaps says it best: "The placement of the sculptures around Hudson Crossing Park is intended to draw visitors a little deeper into the park, and tie both ends of the island together. My hope is that when people walk the island, they will 'discover' these little gems along the way, and bring their friends the next time!"
Hudson Crossing Gate - Leif Johnson
Across the Boat Bridge - Zac Ward
The steel cauldron-esque piece is surrounded by a split rail fence made from a locust tree that was cut down from the tow-path clearing in Hudson Crossing Park. This piece has gone through several re-incarnations, as years ago it was fastened to a small catamaran, and set to sail across the front of an unsuspecting public beach on Lake Paran. The launch site and retrieval site were both hidden from view of the beach, so one hopes that a percentage of the bathers were left pondering the piece's existence. Today "Across the Boat Bridge" lives in the Hudson Crossing Park field, beckoning visitors further into the park to explore a little deeper and walk a little further than they might have planned.
WOODPECKER - LeiF JOHNSON
Birders have long visited Hudson Crossing Park, but not every avian resident is of the feathered variety. This woodpecker is just one of many life sized bird sculptures that were created by artist and blacksmith Leif Johnson. To capture the right size and feel for these sculptures Johnson utilized resources shared by the local Pember Museum.
Rockin' - Sandy Macleod
As artist Sandy MacLeod says of her piece, "This granite and steel sculpture at the Eagle Point is somewhat self-explanatory. An assemblage of natural materials and found objects, the piece reminds us of the way the canal locks and machinery are made. It seems to complement Canal Corporation's meticulous stewardship of the locks and canals."
Molly's Knob - Luke Claymon and Leif Johnson
This piece is built for this space using recycled metal pieces and rocks from artist Leif Johson's land, and from the same area as rocks used for the pillars on the HCP gate. Johnson and Claymon, who collaborated on this piece, both wanted to create something that would be the proper scale for that area using natural materials that would not clash with the surroundings, but complement it. The title pays homage to General John Stark's wife, Elizabeth "Molly" Page, whom has been attributed with convincing Stark to re-enlist after being passed up for promotion during the Revolutionary War. Without Molly's influence, who knows if Stark's pivotal role in the revolution would have come to pass.
These are just some of the pieces currently housed on Hudson Crossing Park grounds. While these works of art are on loan to the Park, there is much more art to be seen in the structures, trails, and especially the Play Garden which is itself a crafted flow of objects artistically arranged for the pleasure of everyone who visits.
Are you an artist who is interested in installing a piece at Hudson Crossing? E-mail Director Kate Morse for more information.
