Barefoot on the Hill by Casey Hayward wins jurors prize in Art on the Trails: Legacy.

Catherine Weber, Program Director of Art on the Trails, is pleased to announce that Barefoot on the Hill, an installation created by Stoneham artist Casey Hayward, has been chosen for the Juror’s prize in the 8th annual exhibition, hosted by the Southborough Open Land Foundation at Beals Preserve in Southborough, MA. This year’s theme is Legacy, in honor of the memory of Whitney Beals.

Art Juror Marie Craig said, “Each artwork in this year’s edition of Art on the Trails presents a unique interpretation of the theme of Legacy, but Casey Hayward’s “Barefoot on the Hill” stands out as a profound embodiment of this idea. Inspired by conservationist Whit Beals’ practice of expressing gratitude while standing barefoot atop his family’s farm hill, Hayward’s piece reflects a deep, personal connection to nature and the enduring spirit of Beals’ Preserve. The ten purple panels invoke ten toes burrowing into the hillside, a physical manifestation of joy and gratitude for nature’s gifts, the essence of legacy as a living, breathing presence on the trails.”

Casey wrote about the piece: “It is said that conservationist Whit Beals used to stand atop a hill on his family’s farm, barefoot and shout out his gratitude for life’s gifts. The 10 panels in this piece, adorned in regal purple hues, represent ten toes burrowing into the hillside while the unseen soul bellows its gratitude for nature’s gifts.”

The juried exhibition of sculptural installations is on view from June 15th and closing on September 15th. The exhibition is juried by Fountain Street Fine Art gallerist and artist Marie Craig of Natick, MA.