Sculpture Walk
June 27, 2026 ~ 10:00am
begins at Courthouse Circle
Seward Johnson Sculptures Return to Gloucester for a Spectacular Exhibition!
Sculpture enthusiasts rejoice as the exquisite masterpieces of renowned artist Seward Johnson make a dazzling comeback to the Gloucester Arts Festival. Experience a captivating journey through Johnson's fascinating sculptures, each telling a unique story and igniting the imagination. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of art and creativity right here in Gloucester! Mark your calendars for the Sculpture walk on June 27th and experience the story of each piece.
Seward Johnson was born in New Jersey, and following the auspicious clipping of a newspaper ad for a beginner’s sculpture class, became well-known worldwide for his figurative sculptures. Spurred to strengthen communities through his artwork, Seward built an international community of artists with the Johnson Atelier, which continues to weave his sculpture into the fabric of everyday life through music, dance, poetry, food, all the things Seward loved.
For more information on Seward Johnson, please visit www.sewardjohnsonatelier.org
A PIECE OF AMERICANA: AMERICA AT 250
GOD BLESS AMERICA / American Gothic
Location: Gloucester Museum of History
In this piece, Seward Johnson brings to life one of the most famous paintings in American history and invites viewers to take a closer look at these farmers, and their stern countenances. Painted in 1930, American Gothic was Grant Woods’ celebration of the moral virtue of hardworking Americans. Johnson added a traveling suitcase at the figures' feet, a subtle twist on the original painting.
EMBRACING PEACE / V-J Day in Times Square
Location: Olivia’s in the Village
Reflect on this moment captured in time that symbolizes the joy felt at the end of the war. Well-known for celebrating everyday life with vividly realistic sculpture, Johnson steps back in time with Embracing Peace, to pay homage to the veterans of World War II. This artwork honors the memory of the past, reminding us of the sacrifice of a nation, and awakens a younger generation to a turning point in our nation’s history.
COURTING
Location: Courthouse Circle
Depicts a romantic, early-20th-century couple sitting intimately on a park bench. The piece playfully invites viewers to sit beside the pair, blurring the line between reality and art. In order to melt the silicon bronze used in cas3ng, ingots (cast bars) are placed in a crucible and heated in a furnace to between 1,900 and 2,150 degrees. It then becomes a pourable liquid, ready to be poured into the mold. Twenty-one separate molds were used to cast this particular piece. Can you tell where the seams are?
CAN DO! / Rosie the Riveter
Location: Yolanda’s
Can Do! This is a remarkable take on the famous Rosie the Riveter image which honored the women working in the factories on the homefront during World War II. There is now an annual Rosie Day where people dress in the iconic kerchief, red lipstick and jumpsuit to celebrate these women.
MIDSTREAM
Location: Atlantic Dental - Dr. Leigh
Seward Johnson felt that his friend Gene, the model for this piece, had a way of wholly relaxing that captured the sculptor’s imagination. The artist notes: “These moments, when we take the time to slow down and appreciate them, are treasures. They remind us that we can live in the world of our senses, take in our surroundings and find a comfortable place in life for ourselves. That is a beautiful moment: when we can find a place in life where we feel we belong, where we feel we appreciate and are appreciated, where we love and are loved, and where we are part of a social system of human interactions that is vital to our well-being."
KEEP LIFE IN BALANCE / Einstein
Location: Fairfield Foundation - Center for Archaeology, Preservation & Education
Einstein is captured in mid-motion, pedaling a vintage bicycle. He is dressed in casual, rumpled clothing—often depicted in his signature baggy sweater or coat with his pants tucked into his socks. “Stay passionately curious, keep moving forward, and remember, “creativity is intelligence having fun.” -Albert Einstein
FOREVER MARILYN / Marilyn Monroe
Location: Gloucester Brewing Company
“Forever Marilyn” is a portrait after the famous photograph taken by Bernard of Hollywood. Extremely realistic, ten layers of hues make up the pearlescent skin of a true starlet of the silver screen. She has been exhibited in multiple locations including Los Angeles during the Oscars and as part of the festivities at the Cannes Film Festival.
Images courtesy of Susan Ammons, Gloucester Tourism
“It’s easy sometimes to forget the simple things that give us pleasure. If we open our eyes, life is marvelous.”
Taking iconic stories, paintings, and images and transforming them into immersive, three-dimensional experiences gave Johnson boundless joy. The siting, placement, and effortless blending of his artwork with the natural environment was one of Johnson’s greatest passions and talents. The power of these sculptures calls the viewer to pause and look at what is right in front of them. His sculptures invite us to consider what has passed and examine what possibilities lie ahead.
“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.”
— Neil Gaiman