Sculpture on the Highway Scoping Study

The Sculpture on the Highway project was the result of two International Sculpture Symposiums organized by the Vermont sculptor Paul Aschenbach, the first in 1968 at the Vermont Marble Company in Proctor, and the second in 1971 at S.T. Griswold Company, Inc., in Williston. Aschenbach worked with the European Sculptor’s Symposium to select artists from all over the world with experience in both stone and concrete sculpture and orchestrated a symposium in Vermont. A total of 22 sculptures were produced over the course of both symposiums, 16 of which were placed along rest areas on Interstates 89 and 91 from Highgate to Guilford, Vermont.

This initiative grew from the need to facilitate communication and exchange between members of the international sculpture community. It was also rooted in Cold War tensions, which lent a particular urgency to the need for cross-cultural dialogue on a person-to-person basis and a means to utilize art as a healing medium.

After more than 50 years the sculptures languished in closed rest areas, became engulfed by forest and suffered from neglect, and disrepair due to weather, graffiti, and lack of proper base support. With a grant funded by “Save America’s Treasures” we were tasked to study the art and locations and create a report and designs for relocation, proper base support and access. Working closely with the State Art Conservator Bob Hannum we made extensive site visits and studies to develop a set of plans for the state to work towards implementing improvements. Bob Hannum and his team are currently working on the process of restoring the art, some pieces on location, others have been moved in pieces to various work shops.. A few examples of these monumental works are shown in the gallery below illustrating the art in original condition, current condition and renderings of proposed re-location for viewing and access.

Ss the individual pieces of art are restored the next phase should include actual design and placement of the art.