Some of Nicholas Russell’s favourite memories of life in the Highlands have been forged at the Haliburton Sculpture Forest and now, the local musician is taking on the responsibility of ensuring the popular tourist destination thrives for generations to come.
Russell was unveiled as the forest’s new, and second-ever curator on Saturday (Oct. 10). He’s replacing the retiring Jim Blake, who has held the role since the sculpture forest’s formation in 2001.
Describing Blake as a mentor and a friend, who helped Russell get his business, Haliburton Guitar Studio, up and running in 2017, the new curator said he’s honoured to follow in Blake’s footsteps.
“It’s a very specific job because it requires not only an understanding of sculptures and classical and contemporary art, but also deep networking roots in the community – I feel I’ve established that last part through my business, performing as a musician and being involved in different things. It all felt like a very natural fit,” Russell said.
With Blake staying on in an advisory role, Russell said he intends to lean on his mentor as he learns the ropes of managing a cultural icon. The forest celebrated its 25th anniversary this summer and typically attracts 40,000 visitors per year.
The space boasts 47 sculptures and seven artistic benches on an approximate 1.4-kilometre walking trail. Russell said he usually visits the site at least once a week, seeing it as the perfect spot for his two young children to burn off some energy and learn to appreciate art.
“I think we’ll be there a lot more now,” Russell said.
Asked if he had a favourite sculpture, Russell said he feels a connection to AtmoSphere, the walk-in stone structure created by British Columbia’s John McKinnon and installed in 2013. Russell created an original piece of music people can listen to on their smartphone while visiting the sculpture, which debuted this summer during the ‘Alive 25’ anniversary celebration.
It’s Das Buch XXIII, a steel piece by Marianne Reim that first appeared during the downtown sculpture exhibition in 2019, that really resonates with Russell, though.
“It belies expectation. The sculpture is a book and, when you open it, it says ‘emptiness’. That’s just really interesting and thought-provoking. It opens the mind to doing different things,” Russell said.
His initial focus will be developing a curatorial vision that will help to guide the forest’s future growth. Russell said he wants to bring more performance-based art to the space, while promised new additions will always be top of mind.
“The plan is always to grow… welcoming more Canadian, international and Indigenous artists into the collection,” Russell said. “Every year, if there are a few sculptures added, then that’s a great success.”
Blake, who worked alongside the sculpture forest’s chair, Barb Bolin, and the rest of the board to find his replacement, believes Russell is a great fit for the role.
“I think that Nick’s care and understanding of multidisciplinary art, in tandem with his experience in performance and artistic collaboration, his knowledge of the artistic community in Haliburton and how nature and art work together, will be an excellent addition to the ongoing exploratory spirit of the Haliburton Sculpture Forest,” Blake said.
