project overview
Seasonal Tree of (wild) Life | Fletcher Creek Park
“Fletcher Creek Park serves the community in two distinct ways. It is a magical playground for children and it offers a unique setting to commune with nature. This sculpture installation sties to acknowledge both.
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These playful mosaic animals add an element of nature and fun in Fletcher Creek Park. Artist Sherri Warner Hunter describes the inspiration for the piece came from the park itself, describing that "Fletcher Creek Park serves the community in two distinct ways. It is a magical playground for children and it offers a unique setting to commune with nature. This sculpture installation sties to acknowledge both."
The animal imagery was inspired by researching the Wolf River watershed ecosystems. Hunter selected the red fox, white tail deer, American bald eagle, and the Pickerel frog as representatives of this rich wildlife area.
The stylized tree is a ‘tree of life’ represents the diversity of animals and insects native to the area. Each side of the tree depicts a different season and the animals correspond to the seasons when their activity is most likely observed.
To increase the number of organisms represented on the tree, Hunter engaged students at Chimneyrock Elementary in creating designs of birds, insects, and wild flowers that can be found along and around the river. These designs were then translated into mosaics and incorporated into the bark and foliage on the tree.
about the artist
Sherri Warner Hunter
Artist Sherri Warner Hunter is a resident of Bell Buckle, TN, where she continues to work in mosaics. She is a sculptor, author, teacher, and mosaic artist. During her career as an artist, she has completed several public art commissions that are installed throughout the Mid-South. Her work often features colorful, large-scale mosaic figures, typically in the shape of animals.
