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The Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) Sculpture Walk project is a multi-year effort headed up by the CRAG Sculpture Committee to acquire outdoor sculptures for display on the grounds of the Great North Woods Center for the Arts (GNWCA) in Columbia, New Hampshire. This public art project began in 2020 with the acquisition and installation of three sculptures by local artists and the inauguration of an annual CRAG Sculpture Competition – an open call for sculptural design submittals with a competitive selection process.
Our vision is to create and gradually expand a serene public venue featuring sculptural artworks by regional artists on the grounds of the GNWCA. For the first two years, the private and public funding of $1500. was offered for the winning entry. Multiple exciting entries were received each year, and the winning sculptures (“Happy Hunting” by Liz Helfer installed in 2021 and “Winding Walk” by Gillian Christy installed in 2022) are truly outstanding works which are now on display along the Sculpture Walk.
The competition prize was increased from $1500. to $3,000. in time for the 2023 competition, however none of the design proposals submitted that year earned the final approval of the Sculpture Committee. Still CRAG was able to install two new sculptures in 2023 (a supersize chime and timber supporting arch and “Late Bloomer” by Keith Hopps) through private donations. CRAG eagerly anticipates new acquisitions in the coming years, through the annual Sculpture Competition and through private donations as this exciting and unique North Country public arts project continues to grow.
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The Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) is pleased to announce that two new additions were added in the summer of 2024 to our growing Sculpture Walk located on the grounds of the Great North Woods Center for the Arts in Columbia, NH. On Thursday, June 20th, 2024, a new sculpture by New Hampshire artist Markus Weinfurter entitled, “Wind in the Willow” was installed.
Mr. Weinfurter’s work draws on his wide-ranging and unusual artistic background – he has over 20 years’ experience in the dramatic arts as a set designer and builder, dancer, stilt walker, performer, and documentary film director and producer in addition to his success as a metal sculptor. His dynamic metal creations made from recycled materials were recently featured on Channel 9’s New Hampshire Chronicle. “As a metal artist, I am passionate about creating unique pieces using reclaimed materials. My background in theater design inspires me to think outside the box and create pieces that are not only beautiful but also functional. Each piece I create is one-of-a-kind and tells its own story.” We are indeed fortunate to add one of his creations as a permanent addition to the growing CRAG Sculpture Walk and urge the public to come see this latest acquisition and hear Mr. Weinfurter give a brief presentation about his sculptures.
On Saturday, July 13th, 2024, the second new sculpture was installed at the Center. “World Wide Web” by New Hampshire sculptor Blaze Konefal is another exciting and imaginative metalwork. Mr. Konefal takes everyday objects and creates whimsey. His creations are often dynamic and intriguing. “They remain dormant until some outside force, such as invisible wind, disturbs their static equilibrium. Some art moves with no obvious force being applied, however it is your mind that is supplying the motion.”
On June 8, 2025 our latest addition to the Sculpture Walk was installed. The vibrant and joyful piece of “Impromptu” by Massachusetts artist Elis Gjoni. It is made from enamel coated metal pipe and adds a burst of color to the area. Elis is originally from Puka, Albania and has dabbled in many artistic mediums and pursuits. (See the full story in the Colebrook Chronicle June 13th edition.)
https://connecticutriverartisans.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/dji_fly_20250608_171403_0_1749441081316_video_cache2.mov
****** CLICK ON VIDEO BELOW AND FORWARD TO MINUTE 5:17 TO SEE ELIS’S INTERVIEW. ******
