SCULPTURAL DESIGN

OVER TWO-DOZEN FULL-SCALE ANIMALS DESIGNED BY KEITH COWLEY

EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE

DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY KEITH COWLEY

SCULPTURAL PLAYSCAPE

DESIGN BY KEITH COWLEY

In 2001 I was hired to help design a paleontology museum for a new attraction that was just opening. Nature’s Art would be a gallery, museum, geology activity center, and a store all in one. It was quite an undertaking, since the owners, a small family from Salem Connecticut had only experience the tiny version of their dream on Salem Four Corners. It was going to require a successful identity and strong stand behind the vision of Nature’s Art. In the coming year, the goal was to begin working on a nature park to be located behind the facility. Swamplands would have to be relocated and recreated and care taken to protect the state flora. Then, new fauna would be introduced; over two dozen life-sized restorations of extinct prehistoric creatures. This park would eventually become Dinosaur Crossing. The project would first require some decisions about the trails denomination. The park would have three trails that would total over a mile walk. The first trail would be a walk through time, showcasing the geologic timetable referenced on signage placed in accurate scale along the pond. The second trail would be dedicated to the known prehistoric reptiles from the Connecticut River Valley, such as Dilophosaurus, Stegomus and Anchisaurus. On that stretch would also be some signs making the hiker aware of local plants and animals present. Again scientific consultation and design work would take place. On the third trail, which would complete the look around the park’s man-made pond, would be dubbed the Mesozoic Trail. The largest dinosaurs reach over 40 feet in height and 80 feet in length. The Suchimimus, shown to the right, was one of my favorites and was sculpted quite accurately to my designs. Closest to the pond, it’s features support the possibilities that it was a piscivore (fish hunter). This exhibit allowed us to support new theories in paleontology, including original color schemes.

Over two dozen dinosaurs were designed for the trails. When I worked on the sketches for the sculpting parameters, I used my paleontology experience in reconstruction to advise the best possible positioning and postures for accuracy and proportion. taking my renditions to the finish would be Tom, a sculptor from Arizona with significant exhibit experience. One version of the design would be conceptual designs for considering a lifelike scenario for each exhibit. Many of my sketches were used, for example the Oviraptor exhibit, In Mongolia’s Flaming Cliffs, recent discoveries revealed the “egg-thief’s” true reputation to be that of a “mother hen”. Many nests were found containg dozens of fossilized eggs, some with adult specimens covering them. This exhibit was an opportunity to capture the possibility of the “mother Ovi” caring for her brood. A fine line was walked on the exhibit due to its size and durability. It was a delicate one, so its placement would be off the trail away from the contact of hikers, unlike larger exhibits that could be interacted with. This project was one of the first big-budget projects I had a significant influence on. Creative and scientific consultation persisted through to the end of first 3 phases. I also spearheaded the development of educational programs for the facility, including traveling programs focusing on geology and paleontology. On premise I assisted the creation of a fossil digging activity that simulated many tactics in field study. The sculptor from Arizona helped us generate a workable southwest landscape with dinosaur skeletons embedded in its floor. Children worked together to identify the dig findings as they uncovered them and debated theories.