Stick Work Is Something To See At Morris Arboretum

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - You have to see this. Over the course of just three weeks in March, artist Patrick Dougherty has been weaving willow branches into a towering sculpture at the Morris Arboretum - without any nails or supports to keep it together.

The photo here shows his current sculpture in progress, and you can visit StickWork.net to see some of the monumental works he's crafted around the world.

At the Morris, you can take a look his new sculpture already (and maybe still catch him at work) or join the grand opening celebration, on Saturday, April 4th to enjoy bagpipes, a chance to design your own sculpture from sticks and natural stuff, as well as the launch of their Sculpture Scavenger Hunt that continues through October.

Dougherty's 'stickworks' are allowed to age with the elements, wear in the wind and eventually return to the Earth as all natural things do. His last sculpture at the Morris Arboretum, survived two years, until the roofs of that 'Summer Palace' succumbed to heavy snow.

And one day, this newly-tamed tangle of bent branches will become compost too. But between now and then, go see what wonders can be woven from a ginormous pile of sticks.

Seriously, it's really something.