Bear Chair

During the week of April 9, 2012, Master Carver Jerry Reid surgically transformed the trunk of a willow oak tree into a unique work of art.

The tree sculpting brought to a dramatic close the Town’s first-ever Tree Sculpture Contest. The Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department introduced the design competition in November 2011 and solicited entries from area residents as a way of preserving the trunk and promoting public art.

The Wake Forest ARTS Board of Directors reviewed 12 submissions and selected Heritage High School ninth grader Cameron Day’s “bear chair” as the winning design. Day was honored during Wake Forest’s Annual Arbor Day celebration on March 15.