NTBG seeking Environmental Sculpture Assistants

Volunteer opportunity to work with Artist-in-Residence

Kalāheo, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i (October 1, 2014) – The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) is now accepting applicants to volunteer as environmental sculpture assistants to work with internationally renowned artist and sculptor Patrick Dougherty in the McBryde Garden in November.

Dougherty, who has created over 250 large-scale, on-site temporary sculptures across the country and around the world, will be working as an artist-in-residence at NTBG’s southshore location. Volunteers will assist Dougherty in the creation this one-of-a-kind sculptural artwork made of sticks, branches, and other plant material. Volunteer positions require, at minimum, a single 4-hour shift between November 3 to 14 or November 17 to 21. Each working day will have two shifts: 8 a.m. – noon and noon – 5 p.m.. Volunteers may sign-up to work as many shifts as they wish.

The nature of volunteer duties includes: harvesting, cutting, bundling, tying, sorting, weaving, stick-gathering, leaf-stripping, hauling plant material, and interacting with McBryde Garden visitors who may approach the sculpture site to observe the construction process.

To apply as a volunteer: Call Lorna at (808) 332-7324, Ext. 204 or email art@ntbg.org by October 17.

Those selected to volunteer for this project must be enthusiastic, congenial, and willing to take directions. Physical stamina that allows volunteers to work outdoors for a full 4-hour shift and complete assigned tasks is required. Volunteers may be asked to work off the ground or on construction scaffolding up to 20 feet high. Orientation and training will be provided on-site by a volunteer coordinator and Patrick Dougherty.

Dougherty has created his stick sculptures in South Korea, Japan, Australia, Serbia, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, France, and throughout North America. This will be Dougherty’s first project on Kaua‘i.

National Tropical Botanical Garden (www.ntbg.org) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental institution with nearly 2,000 acres of gardens and preserves in Hawai‘i and Florida. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, the institution’s mission is to enrich life through discovery, scientific research, conservation, and education by perpetuating the survival of plants, ecosystems, and cultural knowledge of tropical regions. NTBG is supported primarily through donations and grants.

Internationally renowned environmental artist and sculptor Patrick Dougherty’s work Na Hale ‘Eo Waiawi (2003), was made from strawberry guava and rose apple sapplings (20′ x 30′ x 30’) at the Contemporary Art Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii. NTBG is seeking volunteers to work with Dougherty during his artist-in-residency at the Garden during November. Photo by Paul Kodama.