Pingree School Marks 50 Years With Public Art

Pingree School, a co-ed preparatory school in Hamilton celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding this year, is opening its campus for public viewing of 30 sculptures by area artists.

The school, founded in 1961 as a girls' day school, occupies the stone mansion built for Sumner and Mary Weld Pingree in 1931. 

"The school has always been committed to the arts," said Judith Klein, communications director for the school. "We wanted to share our school with the community."

Outside on Saturday, as part of the school's Homecoming weekend, will be chainsaw artist Jesse Green, who will be doing a chainsaw sculpture on the school's mascot, a Pegasus, on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Inside the main building, a new installation shows a timeline of the school's founding, complete with old photographs and a narration of historic events.

Klein said the display was designed by a Beverly artist, Stephanie Williams, who has created exhibits for the Smithsonian Museum and the National Parks Service.

On Monday afternoon, Gloucester artist Bart Stuyf was installing three of his copper sculptures on the campus' South lawn.

Originally from the Netherlands, Stuyf said he is a "retired choreographer."

"I used to be a dancer, a classical and modern dancer, if you can believe it," Stuyf said.

The sculptures are for sale to the public, with 15 percent of proceeds going to the school, Klein said.

The school is holding its annual homecoming this weekend, when many of the artwork will be unveiled.