HALLOWELL — The doe and the fawn, half hidden under trees, stare out toward the house lawn of the Vaughan Homestead, looking as though they’re about to hie off into the woods.
Benjamin Stoodley and Arielle Cousens of Augusta placed the driftwood and found-wood pair, known as “Navi,” on the lawn Friday a few hours before Vaughan Homestead’s summer sculpture garden opening.
The animal sculpture was the final artwork installation for a display open to the public 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 28. It is also open by appointment and for Old Hallowell Day.
The opening celebration Friday at the homestead on 2 Litchfield Road was held in conjunction with “The Harlow Aviary,” the Harlow Gallery’s Summer Members Show of works inspired by birds, opening at 160 Water St. in Hallowell.
At the the Vaughan Homestead, the first sculpture visible from the drive into the grounds is a whimsical couch of elm carved by the late Paul Plumer of Hallowell. The wood, showing a few cracks, invites touch.
Metal sculptures by Lisa Thrace of Hallowell are placed around the house.
Sebastian Meade of Freeport has a bright, one-eyed yarn sculpture and colorful garden monsters. Bruce Mayo of Hallowell offers pastel garden creatures.
Twisted-wire-and-steel sculptures of dancers, one leg reaching to the sky, were fashioned by Don Kerr of Winthrop.
A wave of green Adirondack chairs by James Chute of Freeport and titled “Charc” flows down a slope.
Ellen Gibson, executive director of the Vaughan Homestead Foundation, had brought some of her wooden sculpture as well. One stick figure, set appropriately in the garden, held a pitchfork; another, dried grapefruits.
She said the Vaughan Homestead Foundation collaborates with a number of groups in putting on exhibits.
Other participating artists include Jane Higgins of Winthrop, Karen S. Kelly Philbrick of Belgrade Lakes and Mitch Pfeifle of Brunswick.
“We’ve never had an ongoing exhibit like this,” said Kate Tremblay, program coordinator at the Vaughan Homestead. “We’re anxious to see how it goes.”
Tremblay was readying the grounds for Friday night’s reception, deciding on the placement of food tables and musicians and making last-minute adjustments. She anticipated 50 to 100 attendees.
The seasonal sculpture garden is one way to use the homestead’s outdoor resources, Tremblay said. She had the artwork placed throughout the garden and along a loop around the house. At two points, the surrounding trees part to offer views of the Kennebec River.
Later Friday, she finalized a map that shows visitors which artist created each sculpture.
The Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead is a nonprofit organization, with the location serving as an education center, a nature preserve and a house museum.
Sponsors of the summer sculpture garden are Eaton Peabody, Forgotten Stoneworks, Pro Moving Service and Bob McIntire and Gail Whippelhauser.
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