Topiary Garden

IN OLD DEAF SCHOOL PARK

HISTORY…

The Topiary Garden is located on the original sight of the Ohio School for the Deaf and Dumb. Once comprised of three buildings, the school was destroyed by a spectacular fire in 1981. Only one building remains today on west side of the park. The rubble and debris of the burned buildings was spread over the sight and covered with only a few inches of dirt, leaving it an undeveloped, unplantable eye sore. Thank goodness for the visions of artists.

THE PAINTING…

The French, post-impressionist painter, Georges Seurat, invented the technique of pointillism or chromiluminism- the use of tiny dots of color to produce light. In 1887 he completed the painting Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of la Grande Jatte. This famous painting shows people gathered at leisure in a park on an island in the Seine River. The painting, a huge 7 feet by 10 feet, now hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago. It is considered a benchmark in Western art history.

THE PAINTING REINTERPRETED…

It was the vision of Columbus native, James Mason, to reinterpret Seurat’s painting in topiary form. Mr. Mason, an instructor with the Cultural Arts Center has been a sculptor for over 25 years. He saw the recreation as a dado pun-a landscape of a painting of a landscape-a case of nature mimicking art. Mr. Mason loved the idea yet never expected it to become a reality.

In 1989, Jim Barney, former director of Columbus Recreation and Parks, was searching for a unique idea to celebrate the 1992 Quincentenary. James Mason’s wife, Elaine, an Arts Coordinator for Rec. & Parks, shared her husband’s idea with the director and the Topiary Garden was born!

AS YOU TOUR THE GARDEN…

Begin your tour at the top of the small hill located on the South-East side of the park, near the Gatehouse. Stand on the square next to the large relief of the painting. You will notice the topiary is done in exaggerated perspective-the figures in the front are larger than the figures in the back to create the depth of the painting. This couple measures a towering 12 feet.

The pond represents the River Seine. The sails on the boats are planted with Sweet Autumn Clematis that bloom a lovely white in August and September.

As you wind your way through the garden, search for the topiary cat hidden among the figures. HINT, Since the cat is not part of the original painting it cannot be seen from the knoll. James Mason is known for his whimsy and many of his works evoke amusement. The cat, in typical James Mason fashion, was created simply for the pleasure of the search.

IN CONCLUSION…

We hope you enjoy your visit to the Topiary Garden. It is truly a unique experience that has been shared by thousands of people from around the world. The park has been featured in a variety of magazines such as American Horticulture, Art in America, House and Garden, Conde Nast Traveler, Fine Gardening, Country Gardens, Victoria and LIFE. Most recently the Topiary Garden was featured in the New York Times article “Unique Gardens of the World”.

The Topiary Garden has also won many awards including, the Ohio Parks Award, for the Gatehouse design, The Mayor’s Award of Excellence and the Ohio Landscape Architecture Award “for bringing art to life and enhancing the public’s perception of the profession”.

PLEASE VISIT THE MUSEUM STORE AND VISITOR’S CENTER LOCATED IN THE GATEHOUSE. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE MUSEUM STORE BENEFIT THE TOPIARY GARDEN.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A FRIEND OF THE TOPIARY PARK, PLEASE PICK UP A MEMBERSHIP FORM AT THE MUSUEM STORE, OR CALL 614.645.0197. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.