On the search for sculptures

Of all the pieces featured in Orangeville’s public art collection, our tree sculptures may be the most popular. There are over 40 carvings installed throughout town, each one an impressive display of intricate details and creativity. Crafted by 17 different artists, many sculptures tell stories about our community’s history, people, and places.

Although you’re likely to encounter a sculpture by chance as you explore Orangeville, you may prefer to add some structure to your search. Here are three ways to discover these majestic pieces:

Our self-guided walking tours offer a simple way to find tree sculptures. The Central East tour will lead you to 13 different locations. It starts at Sesquicentennial, a 12.3-foot tribute to Orangeville’s historic and natural features. Along this route, you’ll also encounter a variety of characters and creatures, including a graceful dancer and a group of howling coyotes. The tour circles back to downtown Orangeville so be sure to save some time to explore, shop and dine. You can follow the tour using Driftscape, a free mobile app or find a printed copy online or at the Visitor Information Centre.

If you’re looking to curate your own path, the Driftscape app makes it easy. Start by searching for tree sculptures and then scroll through to find the ones you’d like to visit. Tap the heart icon in the top right corner to add them to your favourites and then add and sort to tailor the perfect trip. This step-by-step video explains the process. Hint: Skip to minute 4:27 for the specifics.

If checking off a visit to every tree sculpture in town is on your bucket list, grab your phone and get started. Each Driftscape listing includes images and details about the sculpture along with information about the artists, including links to their websites and related work. The app content is constantly updated so you’ll be able to find every sculpture right where it stands. If you're not into apps, our digital guide has the same content and can be used to help you create your list in advance.