PHILADELPHIA –- Visitors to the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum are invited to watch as world-renowned sculptor Patrick Dougherty uses tree saplings, fallen branches and other forest material to create a large-scale sculpture, beginning March 30.

As artist-in-residence for three weeks this spring at the Arboretum, Dougherty will be aided by volunteers and staff as he fashions this unique work of art on the banks of the Wissahickon Creek within the Arboretum’s grounds.

Dougherty has created more than 175 temporary sculptures worldwide during his 20-year career. He arrives at each site with no preconceptions but instead draws inspiration from the surrounding environment to design a structure that he then constructs without nails or other supportive hardware. The creation will remain in place as long as it lasts in the natural environment, said to be about two years.

Penn’s 92-acre Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave. in Philadelphia, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s official arboretum. This project is made possible with support from the Madeleine K. Butcher Fine Arts Endowment.