Lobster sculptures come ashore

Map showing sculpture locations being created, to be given out at visitor information centre

The scenery in the Municipality of Barrington has just gotten that much more spectacular, with the installation of 10, two-metre-tall (six feet) artistically decorated lobster sculptures that were commissioned last year as a Canada 150 Heritage project.

The sculptures are located at key places throughout the municipality, including the Baccaro Point Lighthouse, the Barrington River rest stop, the Barrington Municipal Administrative Centre, the Barrington Visitor Information Centre (VIC), the Barrington Municipal Library, the Shag Harbour UFO Site, Island View Park, Clark’s Harbour, The Hawk and Barrington Municipal High School (BMHS).

A map showing the locations of the lobster sculptures and giant lobster chairs that were commissioned three years ago is being created by tourism and community development co-ordinator Suzy Atwood to be given out at the visitor information centre. There are also tentative plans to run a photo contest this summer, encouraging people to take selfies with the lobster sculptures.

“It might be a good way of getting people out and seeing the great creations that they are,” said Atwood. “They are beautiful pieces of artwork, that’s for sure. The artists put a lot of work and time into them.”

Atwood said she hopes people will respect the sculptures.

“A lot of time and effort was put into this project. I wouldn’t want to see anything happen to them.”

The sculptures will remain out until fall, then will be taken indoors to protect them from the elements and displayed throughout the community in public buildings such as the arena, municipal centre and library.

Atwood encourages local residents to put out “their own lobster art” to decorate their yards. “I kind of encourage that because we are the lobster capital of Canada and it just kind of makes sense to play up that fact.” The lobster sculpture Where the Sea Meets the Sky, painted by Michelle Blades, can be found at the Barrington Municipal Library in Barrington Passage. The lobster sculpture Blue Heritage, painted by Erin Smith, stands on the banks of the Barrington River rest stop.

The lobster sculpture Paradise, painted by Morgan Reashore is located on The Hawk, where Nova Scotia’s tallest lighthouse, the Cape Light stands stately just offshore the Cape Ledge.

Cape Sable Island provides the backdrop for the lobster sculpture South Shore Dream located at Island View Park in Barrington Passage. The artist for this sculpture was Janet Moore.

A day in the Life, painted by Richard Brannen, sits in front of the Barrington Municipal Administrative Centre.

The lobster sculpture Secrets of the Sea, painted by Tara Goreham, is located at the Shag Harbour UFO lookoff site and rest stop. Just offshore is Bon Portage Island and its lighthouse.