Washington Crossing Park, NJ, To Unveil Life-Sized Statue Of Monet

WASHINGTON CROSSING, NJ — The public is invited to celebrate the unveiling of Seward Johnson’s “Monet, Our Visiting Artist” on the banks of the Delaware River in Washington Crossing State Park, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 9 beginning at 3 p.m.

The Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA) and Washington Crossing State Park are part of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council's efforts to place 10 of Seward Johnson’s life-sized statues all around the valley.

"We are proud to welcome 'Monet,' who through the magic of the Johnson Atelier, will be painting his own version of Washington Crossing the Delaware at the site of the historic event," said park officials of the temporary, six-month installation.

The ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. with an unveiling and musket firing. Festivities will feature a short discussion by park historian Mark Sirak on the many artistic representations of the historic crossing over the years, including the park’s famous George Harding mural, which will be installed in the soon-to-be-built new Visitor’s Center and Museum.

The installation of the statue at Washington Crossing Park, New Jersey.

The Hopewell Valley Arts Council will feature a live demonstration of plein air painting with local artist Barbara DiLorenzo, and the WCPA will be serving free gingerbread cookies and iced chai lattes flavored with native spicebush foraged from Park grounds.

The park encourages the public to visit https://hvartscouncil.org/sewardjohnson to learn more about the project, including the locations of all 10 of Seward Johnson statues. Visitors can scan a QR code on each sculpture to be directed to an Explorer’s Guide, full of activities, facts and stories.