Large-scale vessel forms, fashioned entirely of tree saplings, are emerging this month on the front lawn of the Ackland Art Museum in downtown Chapel Hill.

Currently untitled, this commissioned artwork is under construction though Friday outside the university museum’s Columbia Street entrance.

Artist Patrick Dougherty is an alumnus of UNC-Chapel Hill with more than 280 of these installations to his credits.

In constructing this work Dougherty is using responsibly harvested material, mostly maple and gum, from Duke Forest and Triangle Land Conservancy.

Volunteers have been supporting the creation of this piece by helping with local harvest, leaf stripping and construction. Prepared bundles of saplings line both sides of the walkway.

Temporary in nature, the sculpture will remain on view through the end of August 2018.