Wildwood, NJ (May 25, 2022) — On Wednesday, May 25th, seven sculptures by artist Seward Johnson will be placed in parks around Wildwood in collaboration with the Arts in the Parks summer series.
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 memories of the past, reminding us of the sacrifices of a nation, and awakens a younger generation to a turning point in our nation’s history. See Embracing Peace, as well a modern tribute to our veterans, Coming Home, at Fox Park. As you follow the bike tour, take a breather with Grabbing Some Peace at Holly Beach Park, take in a concert at Scotty’s Park, learn something new at SOLCOW Park, and indulge in an ultimate frisbee competition with Yuck, Go Fetch! at Juniper and Pacific.
There will be many events throughout the exhibition to gather, to create, to honor, and to celebrate as a community. Please see the list of community programs for this exhibition.
For more information on each exhibit, scan the QR code on the poster.
About the artist, visionary, and philanthropist Seward Johnson:
Seward Johnson passed away at the age of 89 on March 10, 2020.“Seward is the artist that everybody loves to hate,” David Levy, director of the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, said in 2005, a reference to those who dismiss his work as kitsch. “But quietly and selflessly, he is an enormously important citizen of art.” Seward Johnson was the recipient of the International Sculpture Center’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award. Other recipients of this award include Magdalena Abakanowicz, Fernando Botero, Louise Bourgeois, Mark di Suvero, Richard Hunt, William King, Manuel Neri, Claes Oldenburg and Jun Kaneko.
Seward Johnson was a visionary, artist and philanthropist that established the Johnson Atelier in Hamilton, NJ in 1974. The Atelier has become a place that produces and preserves works of art and design while creating cultural experiences and expanding artistic possibility. He later went on to create Grounds For Sculpture, a 42-acre nonprofit sculpture park, museum, and arboretum on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds. It has become one of the premier cultural destinations in New Jersey.
For more information about the sculpture or the artist:
Lynn DeClemente Losavio
Program Officer-Johnson Atelier
609-890-7777 ext. 225
info@sewardjohnsonateier.org