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Statue and glass reflection of the Creator’s Game by Jud Hartmann

Lacrosse: The Creator’s Game

In July 2023, fellow Marylander, Harry Caldwell, asked me if I knew Jud Hartmann, the sculptor of the statue at the Sparks, Maryland, Lacrosse Hall of Fame. I had to admit, “No! I do not know him.” Harry announced, “Well then, I have to take you on a trip to Blue Hill, Maine, when you are with us this summer!” Somewhat amused, I asked how it was that a bronze sculptor in Maine had fallen in love with the Native American Tribes of these United States. Harry said, “That is the part of the story you have to hear from Jud himself.”

A few weeks later we drove with Harry through the small towns along the Maine coastline, from his summer home on Deer Isle. We arrived in Blue Hill and visually sized up the gallery, which included several rooms and two floors of paintings, statues and other artwork with powerful Native American themes.

We soon met the owner of the gallery, Jud Hartmann, and we were off to the races. His encyclopedic knowledge of the game of lacrosse and its origins among the Iroquois Nation were astonishing. He even knew about Mohawk, Huron, Seneca and other woodland Indian tribes of Canada and New England which had embraced intertribal games among its people. Hartmann wrapped each question we asked in a story that was full of research and surprise to those who were listening. He is a fabulous raconteur.

In the process, I fell in love with “The Creator’s Game,” and promised myself I would buy a limited edition bronze from Jud Hartmann as soon as we got home to Portland.

Plexiglass plaque written for the base of The Creator’s Game bronze statue

The Creator’s Game

The Creator’s Game bronze now has a home in Portland, OR

Jud Hartmann is prolific

Jud Hartmann’s gallery has magnificent bronzes and wonderful paintings of his liking

The Creator’s Game is Jud Hartmann’s original model for the 16′ monumental bronze which is permanently installed at the U.S. Lacrosse headquarters/Lacrosse Hall of Fame in Sparks, Maryland. The monument is featured in USA Lacrosse History page which display’s an interesting timeline of the sport of Lacrosse. The accompanying bronze plaque reads in part: 

“The Game of Lacrosse was given by the Creator to the Iroquois and other native people many centuries ago. It is from the Iroquois that the modern game most directly descends. May this sculpture honor the Iroquois and the origins of lacrosse.”

Creator's Game Sculpture
The final touches of the Creator’s Game after it is caste by the artist
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The Creator’s Game bronze in Sparks, Maryland, with plaque by the Voelkel family donated by Emil “Buzzy” Budnitz, Jr.
Creator's Game Plaque
The Iroquois are the direct line to the American sport of lacrosse “Dehontshihgwa ‘ Ehs“
Creator's Game Sculpture
Jud Hartmann with his statue honoring the Creator and his game of lacrosse
Creator's Game Sculpture
The lighted field at Sparks Maryland, National Lacrosse Hall of Fame
Creator's Game Monument
Close-up of Jud Hartmann’s life-sized bronze

My brother, Laurie, and I were in Sparks, Maryland, this past summer and visited the Lacrosse Hall of Fame, capturing pictures of the great men and women who have mastered the ever-growing game of lacrosse. Thank you for the trip, Laurie.

Jud Hartmann’s Blue Hill Gallery and Workshop

The next time you are in the Baltimore metro area or the southern coast of Maine, or in Grafton, Vermont, be sure to leave time to see Jud Hartmann’s Galleries. The Lacrosse Hall of Fame in Sparks is a bonus to the trip to Maryland to see Hartmann’s work. The Hall of Fame is a treat in and of itself, as least to us lacrosse lovers.