Heads in Downtown Spring Lake
She carefully positioned each piece and had touches added especially for Spring Lake . For instance , Monet , which depicts an artist working at his easel , was customized to have him painting a landscape of the lake . McDonough had it set on the exact spot where the artist sees the scene . Visitors marvel when they realize Monet ' s work is a perfectly cast scene of the lake .
It costs more than $ 40,000 to bring the collection to the borough , Whalley said , explaining the most expensive part was hauling it on an 18-wheeler . The funds were raised through corporate sponsors and private donations , at no cost to the borough .
Seward Johnson visited Spring Lake in 2016 during the first display . He was unable to participate in the 2019 exhibit , however . After his death in 2020 the borough wrote to the Johnson family about Seward ’ s impact on the community .
At the sculptures ’ unveiling this fall , Whalley recalled Seward Johnson ’ s visit . He and his wife stayed at the Breakers on Ocean Avenue and toured the 100-year-old community house where the borough ’ s 360-seat theater and library are located .
“ They commented that in all their travels , they had never seen a building that housed the spoken word and the written word under one roof . We could not have been more proud ,” Whalley said .
During that first exhibit Seward Johnson also gave a speech at the community house . “ The audience could have listened his to stories and philosophy for hours ,” Whalley said .
“ The town of Spring Lake will always be grateful to Seward Johnson for reminding us of the simple beauty in everyday life ,” the councilwoman said .
Losavio lead a tour of the sculptures on the day they were formally unveiled . She encouraged everyone to “ take a moment to look at every detail .” Each piece has a disk on it , stating the year it was made . The Atelier maintains the sculptures and will continue to make and sell them with all proceeds devoted to sustaining its exhibits and educational programs . The facility also provides training for artists and skilled crafts persons in modeling , enlarging , casting , fabrication , paint and patina .
Whalley said when the sculptures arrived , they were startling , so much so that the police even got calls about a man sleeping on the park bench . Spring Lake is organizing several events to coincide with the public art display and celebrate it .
Communications High School in nearby Wall Township is encouraging its photography students to capture the display in their work . An exhibit of the students ’ work will be shown at the community house .
Thunder Road Board , located in Spring Lake ’ s downtown , is also sponsoring an essay contest in conjunction with the exhibit . Writers are encouraged to pick a sculpture and draft a story about it .
For more information about the exhibit go to visitspringlake . com .
November 2022 COMMERCE 17