Stickworks

Artosphere, Arkansas' Arts & Nature Festival, was a great success last year, and we have already been busy planning what to do this season.  One of our main features will be an installation piece done by Patrick Dougherty. 

Combining his carpentry skills with his love of nature, Patrick Dougherty began to learn about primitive techniques of building and to experiment with tree saplings as construction material. Beginning about 1980 with small works, fashioned in his backyard, he quickly moved from single pieces on conventional pedestals to monumental site-specific installations that require sticks by the truckload. To date he has built over two hundred such massive sculptures all over the world.

One of the most fascinating things about Dougherty is the fact that he gathers all the sticks and saplings for each piece on-site.  Check out this article by Beth Goodwin, Walton Arts Center PR Manager, over at The Ozark Echo to learn more about Patrick and his installations.

Patrick was in Fayetteville a couple of weeks ago to scope out space and materials for his installation piece.  While he was here he stopped by KUAF to talk with Kyle Kellams about his designs.  You can listen to the interview here.

He also spoke with Becca Bacon Martin of NWA Media and was featured in her "What's Up!" article.

We are very excited about bringing Patrick and his work to Northwest Arkansas this spring during our 2012 Artosphere Festival.  You can stay up to date about the festival and the events surrounding it by visiting our Artosphere homepage.