Burlington sculpture trail about to close for 2026
Waterfront exhibit features more than 60 works from artists from across Canada and around the world.
You have only a few days left to take in the 2026 Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail. It is scheduled to close Sunday after weeks of showcasing sculptures for the public.
This is the fifth year the trail has been running and this year there are over 60 works available to see. This includes sculptures set behind glass, and some that are open to the elements as well as major, free-standing works.
Heather Kanabe, the executive director of the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection, says the sculpture trail has positive impacts on the Burlington community.
“It was just beautiful to watch folks really sharing their own stories as it related to the works that they were engaging with … And I think bringing families and young folks into public art is a really important priority for the Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail,” Kanabe said.
Artists participating in the trail also see the impact it has in the Burlington/Hamilton art community. There is no fee to apply, artists accepted are paid an exhibition fee and are also able to sell their work, according to the Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail website.
In a message from founder Dan Lawrie in the trail program map, he said: “Arts and culture are fundamental to our quality of life, economic development, and community pride and identity … [the trail] endeavors to create an environment that supports artists and provide free accessibility for everyone to enjoy public sculpture in a setting that combines nature and art.”
Cornelia Peckart, one of the trail artists, said submissions are growing every year. “Only 60 artists were chosen of 160 who applied this year, which is a lot more than applied last year. And so it's just building momentum that way. I hope I get in again.”
This is Peckart’s second year of having a piece on the trail. This year, her submission called Whose Habitat is a major work set in the gazebo in Spencer Smith Park. It features flat plates strung together with images of local flora and fauna painted on either side. It acts as an “entrance” to the lake or gazebo.
“It kind of speaks to the stewardship of the land that humans should have in mind and speaks to what actually is living there when we're not around as well,” Peckart said.
Nancy Benoy has been accepted to the trail three years in a row. She let the fact she wouldn’t know where her sculpture would be in the lineup inspire her piece called Do You Dream in Colour. “I work with a lot of bright colours anyways, but I want it to be a bit extra in case I was near the road. And then I was, and I love the contrast between the grey road and then my really bright sculpture.”
Benoy’s experience has been positive, and she shared her thoughts about the organization and its founder.
“He's such a lovely, kind, generous human. And then he brought this idea, a concept for artists to showcase their work and get paid. It's pretty fantastic. And it's rare to find opportunities like this.”
The trail has been busy with events since opening. It has hosted a family day event, Friday night lights, tours hosted on Tuesdays, and an augmented reality experience around Burlington.
Trail visitors can vote for their favourite piece, with voting ending on May 31, the same day as closing. The artist who wins the audience choice award will receive a financial award.
The Dan Lawrie Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail was the recipient of the Burlington Economic Development + Tourism Award for Excellence in Tourism Leadership at an awards ceremony May 14.
