Birdhouse Sculpture Finds Permanent Home At Warrington Park

WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — “Birdhouse Bacchanal,” a mixed-media sculpture created by students at the Bucks County Community College, has found a permanent home at Lion's Pride Park in Warrington.

The sculpture, installed along the park’s walking trails, was one of five pieces on temporary display at the park this summer, three created collaboratively by current Bucks students and two works by alumni.

During the installation, visitors were invited to vote for their favorite sculpture, with the piece garnering the most votes purchased by the township for permanent installation in the park, located at 3129 Bradley Road in Chalfont.

The leaders of the college's sculpture program were at the park last week to announce the winners, presenting the birdhouse creators with $500, the purchase price of the sculpture. The purchase was made possible by a generous donation from Gateway Kia.

Bucks County Community College students (left-right) Ali Vafaee of Princeton, Ryan Roberts of Bensalem, and Monique Perry of Churchville accepted a $500 check from Warrington Township and Gateway Kia on August 14, joined by Clifford Eberly (right), the College’s senior manager of galleries and exhibitions. The students created “Birdhouse Bacchanal” in their Intro to Sculpture class, which was the top vote-getter in this summer’s outdoor sculpture exhibition at Warrington’s Lions Pride Park. It now becomes the first work in the township’s permanent outdoor collection. (Mel Evans/Bucks County Community College)

The exhibition reflects the college's commitment to experiential learning and community engagement while enhancing the local cultural landscape, noted Carolina Blatt, Ph.D., dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.

"Once we were approached by Warrington Township with this idea, we started thinking about how to get our students involved with this opportunity, and at the same time,
highlight our programs and the fact that we have some really unique facilities," said Blatt. "We have a foundry, a wood shop, and all these amazing studios that people might not know about, so it seemed like a natural fit to show what we're doing while also helping Warrington add engaging public art to its trails."

“Tapestry,” a mixed media sculpture created by students in Bucks County Community College’s Sculpture Foundry class, was one of five works that were part of an outdoor exhibition this summer at Warrington’s Lions Pride Park. Pictured with their creation are (from left) Sunny Howard of Doylestown, Bill Sticker of Warminster, Bob Rauch of Upper Dublin, Cyna Worthman of Washington Crossing, and Chuck Bennett of Wrightstown. (Mel Evans/BCCC)

Charis Hasney, left, and Chuck Bennett of Wrightstown show off “Bucky,” which they created with their fellow students in a recent 3D Design Fundamentals Class at Bucks County Community College. The mixed media sculpture was among five works by students and alumni on display this summer along the walking trails at Warrington's Lion's Pride Park. (Mel Evans/BCCC)