The Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department must remove most of a large willow oak tree in Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave., due to indications of internal decay and concern for public safety and property. The trunk of the tree is in good condition, however, so the department is sponsoring an exciting contest designed to preserve the trunk and promote public art.
Starting now, area residents are invited to submit their ideas and designs as part of a competition that will result in the transformation of the trunk into a work of public art. The winning design will be selected by Wake Forest ARTS, a non-profit organization that promotes and coordinates arts and cultural activities in the community.
Once the winning submission has been selected, a local tree sculptor will turn the base of the tree into a work of art to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come. The winner will be honored at the Town’s annual Arbor Day celebration on March 15, 2012, and his or her name will be included on a plaque commemorating the completed sculpture.
Please note the following contest rules:
- Each submission must contain a contest entry form and no more than three additional pages 8.5”x11” paper or one piece of paper up to poster board size (24” x 36”). Entry forms are available at Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and below:
- Designs can be created by computer or by hand, using pencil, marker, or paint.
- Design must be no larger than the trunk, which is 30 inches in diameter and up to 10 feet tall, with a minimum of a six-inch uncarved portion at the bottom of the tree. Templates are provided at Town Hall and below
- Design should be appropriate for a public park environment, and should enhance the view from Holding Park Pool and the Community House. A few examples of appropriate themes include aquatics, nature, and community.
- Design cannot include copyrighted imagery, including popular cartoon characters, sports team logos, or trademarks.
- Designs should try to use as much of the tree as reasonable. This reduces the amount of wood that is wasted, and ensures that the tree will dry more evenly and suffer less from splitting.
- Entries must contain a description of the design in approximately 100 words or less. A picture is not required, but is recommended.
- All materials should be securely attached to each other or enclosed in a single envelope.
- All entries must be received no later than Jan. 31, 2012. Entries may be mailed or delivered by hand to Town Hall: Holding Park Tree Sculpture Contest, c/o Evan Keto, Town of Wake Forest, 301 S. Brooks St., Wake Forest, NC 27587.
- For more information, contact Keto at (919) 435-9565 or eketo@wakeforestnc.gov.