A Collaborative Effort: Cary’s Newest Willow Sculpture

Volunteers assist Chapel Hill artist Patrick Dougherty in the creation of a willow sculpture at Carpenter Park.
Volunteers assist Chapel Hill artist Patrick Dougherty in the creation of a willow sculpture at Carpenter Park.
Volunteers, from left, Marie Cefalo, Nike Lewis, Lois Nixon and Kenneth Nelson weave willow saplings during the construction of a sculpture at Carpenter Park designed by artist Patrick Dougherty.
Volunteers, from left, Marie Cefalo, Nike Lewis, Lois Nixon and Kenneth Nelson weave willow saplings during the construction of a sculpture at Carpenter Park designed by artist Patrick Dougherty.
Sculptor Patrick Dougherty is silhouetted against a morning sky with willow sticks and scaffolding while creating a willow sculpture a Carpenter Park.
Sculptor Patrick Dougherty is silhouetted against a morning sky with willow sticks and scaffolding while creating a willow sculpture a Carpenter Park.
Patrick Dougherty and son Sam bend willow into shape during the construction of a willow sculpture at Carpenter Park.
Patrick Dougherty and son Sam bend willow into shape during the construction of a willow sculpture at Carpenter Park.
Signage at the Carpenter Park installation explains to park-goers what is being created.
Signage at the Carpenter Park installation explains to park-goers what is being created.
Patrick Dougherty works with his son, Sam, to create a willow sculpture at Carpenter Park in Cary.
Patrick Dougherty works with his son, Sam, to create a willow sculpture at Carpenter Park in Cary.
Willow from a farm in Canada was trucked to Cary for the creation of the Carpenter Park sculpture.
Willow from a farm in Canada was trucked to Cary for the creation of the Carpenter Park sculpture.
Patrick Dougherty, left, hauls mulch with volunteers as the Cary sculpture nears completion.
Patrick Dougherty, left, hauls mulch with volunteers as the Cary sculpture nears completion.
Renowned sculptor Patrick Dougherty
Renowned sculptor Patrick Dougherty
Renowned sculptor artist Patrick Dougherty
Renowned sculptor artist Patrick Dougherty
Four-year-old Seth Shirley explores the maze with his sister, Charity Echevarria.
Four-year-old Seth Shirley explores the maze with his sister, Charity Echevarria.
Patrick Dougherty, also known as the “Stick Wizard,” stands on scaffolding to arrange willow saplings as he creates a monumental willow structure at Carpenter Park in Cary.
Patrick Dougherty, also known as the “Stick Wizard,” stands on scaffolding to arrange willow saplings as he creates a monumental willow structure at Carpenter Park in Cary.
Patrick Dougherty
Patrick Dougherty
The month-long construction of the Patrick Dougherty installation at Carpenter Park takes shape.
The month-long construction of the Patrick Dougherty installation at Carpenter Park takes shape.
Completed on March 25, the Patrick Dougherty willow sculpture at Carpenter Park is now open for exploring.
Completed on March 25, the Patrick Dougherty willow sculpture at Carpenter Park is now open for exploring.
Visitors explore the maze at Carpenter Park.
Visitors explore the maze at Carpenter Park.
Visitors explore the maze at Carpenter Park.
Visitors explore the maze at Carpenter Park.

Patrick Dougherty, an internationally acclaimed “stick wizard” and resident of Chapel Hill, has built over 300 willow sculptures all over the world. With the help of community volunteers, Dougherty’s newest sculpture was installed at Carpenter Park in Cary between March 7-25 as part of the Town of Cary’s environmental outreach program. Cary Magazine’s photographer, Jonathan Fredin, was there to capture every collaborative moment.