HALLOWELL — The doe and the fawn, half hidden under trees, stare out toward the house lawn of the Vaughan Homestead, looking as though they’re about to hie off into the woods.
Benjamin Stoodley and Arielle Cousens, of Augusta, placed the driftwood and found-wood pair, known as “Navi,” there Friday a few hours before the opening of the Vaughan Homestead’s summer Sculpture Garden.
It was final artwork installation for a display that will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 28. It is also open by appointment and for Old Hallowell Day.
The opening celebration Friday at the homestead, at 2 Litchfield Road, was held in conjunction with “The Harlow Aviary,” the Harlow Gallery’s Summer Members Show of works inspired by birds, opening at 160 Water St. in Hallowell.
At the Vaughan Homestead, the first sculpture visible from the drive into the grounds is a whimsical couch of elm carved by the late Paul Plumer, of Hallowell. The wood, showing a few cracks, invites touch.
Metal sculptures by Lisa Thrace, of Hallowell, are placed around the house.
Sebastian Meade, of Freeport, has a bright, one-eyed yarn sculpture and colorful garden monsters. Bruce Mayo, of Hallowell, offers pastel garden creatures.
Twisted-wire-and-steel sculptures of dancers, one leg reaching to the sky, were fashioned by Don Kerr, of Winthrop.
A wave of green Adirondack chairs by James Chute, of Freeport, and titled “Charc” flows down a slope.
Ellen Gibson, executive director of the Vaughan Homestead Foundation, had brought some of her wooden sculpture as well. One stick figure, set appropriately in the garden, held a pitchfork; another, dried grapefruits.
She said the Vaughan Homestead Foundation collaborates with a number of groups in putting on exhibits.
Other participating artists include Jane Higgins, of Winthrop; Karen S. Kelly Philbrick, of Belgrade Lakes; and Mitch Pfeifle, of Brunswick.
“We’ve never had an ongoing exhibit like this,” said Kate Tremblay, program coordinator at The Vaughan Homestead. “We’re anxious to see how it goes.”
Tremblay was readying the grounds for Friday night’s reception, deciding on the placement of food tables and musicians and making last-minute adjustments. She anticipated 50 to 100 attendees.
The seasonal sculpture garden is one way to use the homestead’s outdoor resources, Tremblay said. She had the artwork placed throughout the garden and along a loop around the house. At two points, the surrounding trees part to offer viewscapes of the winding Kennebec River.
Later Friday, she finalized a map that shows the visitors which artist created each sculpture.
The Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead is a nonprofit organization, with the location serving as an education center, a nature preserve and a house museum, according to its website.
Sponsors of The Summer Sculpture Garden are the Eaton Peabody, a law firm with an office in Augusta; Forgotten Stoneworks, of Manchester; Pro Moving Service, of Waterville; and Bob McIntire and Gail Whippelhauser, of Hallowell.
The Harlow Gallery is a nonprofit membership group with the goal of “connecting and celebrating art, artists and community in downtown historic Hallowell since 1963,” according to a news release.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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