Seals In The Park Fundraising Underway

 HARWICH – Seals will be swimming through town this summer.

The annual Seals in the Park, a fundraising campaign for the Children’s Center, is underway.

For the past two years local artists have transformed cut-out seal figures into charming works of art to raise funds for a local nonprofit. For the second year in a row, the Children’s Center, an early childhood education center on Sisson Road, has been chosen as the beneficiary of the fundraising event. 

Director of Cultural Affairs Kara Mewhinney said the Seals in the Park will be located in stores in town and will also be available at the Music in the Park concerts held each Monday evenings this summer in Brooks Park. She also said there will be seals on display at the farmers market held each Thursday afternoon at the 204 Sisson Cultural Center. 

Artists at the cultural center and artists from neighboring communities have put their creative talents to work to create the 28 seals. The displays will be accompanied by information about the artist and a QR code linked to an online auction site where people can bid on the seals.  

The annual event will run through Aug. 31.

The event is put on by the two Harwich Cultural Districts working with local artists. For a complete list of seal display locations, participating artists, and how to bid, visit visitwww.childrenscenterharwich.org/sealsinthepark.

The wood seals are cut by Eric Czech of Cape Cod Wooden Whales in Sandwich and are donated by Czech to the fundraiser, according to Mewheinney. They are “colorful and whimsical collections of art,” she said.

All proceeds generated by the fundraiser go directly to The Children’s Center. Last year the event raised $2,000, and the hope is to exceed that goal this year, she said.

 “This campaign offers a fun, interactive, and meaningful way to support The Children’s Center and the families of Harwich and beyond,” said Children’s Center Director Abigail Newberry-West. “We are thrilled to bring together our community, local artists, and supporters to raise funds for such a vital cause. Together, we can make a significant impact on our community.”

“It’s not just about raising funds for The Children’s Center,” Mewhinney added. “It’s not just about funds and awareness. It’s about creating an immersive art experience to allow our visitors an opportunity to get into our stores and parks and enjoy works of art.”

The list of stores where the seals can be observed will be complete and posted on social media by June 18, Mewhinney said. Winning bidders will be announced in September. 

“The Children’s Center has been dedicated to working families on Cape Cod since 1993,” said Newberry-West. “Since its founding, the center has provided high-quality, affordable early childhood education services, creating a foundation of love, learning, and growth, and helping children thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. In order to continue our mission, we rely on external funding and the generosity of our community.”