Finding the Alexander Art Trail requires noodling through the back of beyond, but this unique—in the truest sense of the word—sculpture park sited amidst down east Maine’s lakes and woods makes the effort worthwhile.
Once you find it, douse yourself with bug dope and follow the trail. First stop: the donation box, $2 pp is requested. Trust me, it’s worth it. The trail moseys through woodlands peppered with imported, life-size, hand-carved, oak sculptures. It’s labeled as the largest hand-carved outdoor sculpture collection in Maine, and the only somewhat similar one I’m aware of is the equally quirky Langlais sculpture preserve in Cushing (more on that in a future post).
Origins of the Alexander Art Trail sculpture park
The (late) Roland and Grazina Paegle created the sculpture park after seeing similar ones in Europe. They hired Lithuanian artists to hand carve the life-size sculptures in solid oak, choosing ones that complemented the lakes and woods setting.
On this side of the Atlantic, the Paegles began cutting the trails on land near the shores of Barrows Lake at the base of Breakneck Mountain. They made cases to shelter smaller pieces, and began soliciting local artists to participate. The trail, a collaboration between a local landowner, the non-profit History Dome and Art Park, Inc., artists, and volunteers, had its first full season in 2010.
What you’ll find along the trail
According to the Alexander Sculpture Trail’s website, the park is “part museum, part gallery, and part fairy woodland.” It’s an accurate description. More than two dozen sculptures pepper the woodlands. Most are smack on the trail, but those who look a bit beyond into the woods will find some surprises.
In addition driftwood sculptures created by Roland Paegle and pieces loaned or created by other artists complement the Lithuanian carvings.
Sculptures aren’t identified, leaving visitors to imagine who or what they are and the relationship between adjacent sculptures. For example, I easily spied Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf; another sculpture that must have been one of Snow White’s dwarfs; and one that looked like a Viking fisherman or maybe it represented a spiritual loaves-and-fishes inspiration.
Paegle’s driftwood works are intriguing. Some show a sense of humor. Both American Idol and Bad Hair Day made me chuckle. Another asked: Is your glass half full or half empty?
The longer I stayed, the more I saw. Sure, you can tour through the sculpture park in 20-30 minutes, but if you pause here and there, stop to carefully examine the works in cases, and aim to spy the surprises, it’s easy to while away an hour or so here. Carved benches and seats make it easy to relax and enjoy the experience.
Since the park defines remote, it’s wise to allow enough time to enjoy it, ponder interpretations, and find the surprises when planning a trip.
How to find to the Alexander Art Trail sculpture park
The Alexander Art Trail sculpture park is in Alexander, Maine, about 30 minutes west of Calais. From Route 9, turn south on Davis Rd., just west of the South Princeton Road, and follow the signs — you’ll need to look carefully, as some are partially screened by foliage. Turn right on Crawford Road (at the Pleasant Lake Camping Area), then keep left on Barrows Lake Road. At the T intersection, turn right. You’ll see the sculpture park on your left just before the waters of Barrows Lake appear on your right.
Note: When you’re getting close, roads will change to dirt. Honestly, you’ll likely think you’re lost before you find it, but persevere.
