Shep (sculpture)

Bird sculpture in Dorchester, New Brunswick, Canada

Shep

Original version of Shep in 2011

45°53′59.2″N 64°30′59.7″W﻿ / ﻿45.899778°N 64.516583°W﻿ / 45.899778; -64.516583﻿ (Shep)
Location| Dorchester, New Brunswick, Canada
Designer| Robin Hanson
Type| Semipalmated sandpiper sculpture
Material| Steel, fibreglass, epoxy
Height| 2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Weight| 135 kg (298 lb)
Named after| The Shepody Bay

Shep is a large sculpture of a semipalmated sandpiper in Dorchester (now part of Tantramar), New Brunswick, Canada. The current steel, fibreglass, and epoxy sculpture was created by Robin Hanson and installed in 2023 as a replacement for the original wooden version by Monty MacMillan, which stood from 2001 to 2020. Originally installed for the inaugural "Dorchester Sandpiper Festival", the name Shep is derived from the nearby Shepody Bay, which attracts a large amount of migrating semipalmated sandpipers.

## Description

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Shep depicts a semipalmated sandpiper and is made of steel, fibreglass and epoxy. It stands 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) tall and weighs around 135 kilograms (298 lb). It was installed on April 8, 2023, as a replacement for a previous wooden version.[1][2] Shep is named after the nearby Shepody Bay, an extension of the Bay of Fundy to which many semipalmated sandpipers migrate during the summer.[3]

## History

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The original wooden sculpture, made by Monty MacMillan,[1] was carved out of a wooden block weighing 850 pounds (390 kg).[4] It was installed in 2001[5][6] for Dorchester's inaugural "Dorchester Sandpiper Festival" event held annually,[7] serving as the "festival and village mascot".[8] The name Shep was chosen as an entrant in the "Name the Sandpiper Contest" and was officially announced in 2002.[7] The original sculpture stood 4.0 metres (13.1 ft)[9] and was referred to as "the world's largest sandpiper".[10] Shep was later repainted in preparation for the 2016 event.[11]

In 2020, the Dorchester village council approved funding for repairs to Shep and for the construction of a viewing platform for it. The sculpture was removed so that MacMillan could make the repairs. In 2021, MacMillan discovered that the wooden sculpture had started rotting. Later in the year, all of his tools were stolen, further delaying the repairs.[1][12] MacMillan referred Dorchester mayor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell to French Lake-based artist Robin Hanson, who was subsequently commissioned to create a new steel, fibreglass, and epoxy version of Shep,[13] at a cost of CA$9,300.[14]

On January 1, 2023, as a result of the 2023 New Brunswick local governance reform, Dorchester was amalgamated with Sackville into the newly formed town of Tantramar. The new town council considered paying Hanson to be a lower priority,[15] causing individuals and organizations to attempt to raise funds themselves to cover the cost of the replacement sculpture.[13][16] On April 8, 2023, the new version of Shep was transported to Dorchester and installed by local volunteers—not by municipal officials.[13] This was well-received by residents[17] but caused controversy within the new council. Wiggins-Colwell supported the installation of the new sculpture, while other officials, such as Tantramar mayor Andrew Black, considered it to be an insurance and liability risk to the municipality.[18][19]

After complaints of violations of the municipal code of conduct were made against Wiggins-Colwell,[3] Montana Consulting was hired in October 2023 to do a third-party investigation. The work by Montana Consulting, which cost the municipality $19,167,[20] culminated in a report that substantiated violations by Wiggins-Colwell, such as a "failure to respect the decision-making process and follow policies, procedures and bylaws".[20] Former Dorchester deputy mayor Kara Becker criticized the investigation, calling it a "witch hunt"[3] and "an embarrassment for the municipality".[20]

## See also

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* The World's Largest Lobster, another animal sculpture in New Brunswick

## References

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1. ^ a b c Butler, Erica (April 11, 2023). "UPDATE: Shep is back, and Tantramar council votes to keep it » CHMA 106.9 FM". CHMA 106.9 FM. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
2. ^ Farley, Sam (November 17, 2023). "Unauthorized sandpiper statue in Dorchester ruffles feathers at council". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
3. ^ a b c "New Brunswick councillor sanctioned over installation of giant sandpiper statue". CTV Atlantic. November 17, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
4. ^ "Dorchester Artist Society presents its first exhibition". Times & Transcript. July 22, 2017. ProQuest 1930394087. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
5. ^ "Piper down: Village in New Brunswick wants giant sandpiper returned to pedestal". Global News. March 26, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
6. ^ "Giant sandpiper statue returns to its roost in tiny New Brunswick village". Prince George Citizen. April 9, 2023. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
7. ^ a b Mlodecki, Janet (August 5, 2002). "Dorchester celebrates sandpiper; Village population swells as second annual event held on weekend". Times & Transcript. Canwest. ProQuest 422805287. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
8. ^ Clinton, Julie (July 23, 2004). "Celebrating the Sandpiper; Schedule; Dorchester's fourth annual Sandpiper Festival starts today". Times & Transcript. ProQuest 422840409. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
9. ^ Jones, Matt (July 25, 2003). "Sandpiper Festival serves up a steaming bowl of down-home fun Schedule". Times & Transcript. ProQuest 422867520. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
10. ^ Carr, Howard (July 31, 2003). "Dorchester gets set to welcome visitors to annual Sandpiper fest". Telegraph-Journal. ProQuest 423190422. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
11. ^ Keenlyside, Madelaine (July 21, 2016). "World's biggest sandpiper ready to celebrate sweet 16". Times & Transcript. ProQuest 1805698108. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
12. ^ Fowler, Shane (March 22, 2023). "Giant sandpiper made of steel, fibreglass, epoxy — and a dash of controversy". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
13. ^ a b c Alam, Hina (April 9, 2023). "Fly Away Home: fate uncertain for newly returned bird sculpture in Dorchester, N.B." The Canadian Press. Toronto Star. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
14. ^ Haggett, Derek (April 10, 2023). "Shep the bird statue returns to Dorchester, N.B., but not without controversy". CTV Atlantic. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
15. ^ "Piper down: Village in New Brunswick wants giant sandpiper returned to pedestal". Toronto Star. March 26, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
16. ^ Butler, Erica (March 17, 2023). "Dorchester residents pitch the return of Shep the Sandpiper to village square » CHMA 106.9 FM". CHMA-FM. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
17. ^ Alam, Hina. "A giant sandpiper sculpture has returned to an N.B. town — but its fate is uncertain". The Canadian Press. CBC News. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
18. ^ "Giant sandpiper statue finds permanent perch in New Brunswick village". Global News. April 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
19. ^ "Giant sandpiper statue finds permanent perch in New Brunswick village". The Canadian Press. CTV Atlantic. April 12, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
20. ^ a b c Alam, Hina (February 26, 2024). "N.B. municipality spent $19K to investigate councillor over giant bird statue". The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.