Adkins Arboretum is inviting the community to help bring Woodhenge to life, a monumental site-specific public art installation designed by Master Craftsman Vicco von Voss. Supported by a competitive $30,000 Public Art Award from the Maryland State Arts Council, the project is now entering its critical fundraising phase to raise the matching private support required to construct and install the piece for a Spring 2027 unveiling.
Conceived and designed by von Voss, Woodhenge bridges art, ecology, and community.
The concept was born from a profound moment familiar to the artisan: the instant a sawyer opens a log, revealing the hidden interior life, history, and silent memory encapsulated in the tree.
By arranging 12-foot-tall black walnut slabs upright in a circular formation in Nancy’s Meadow, the installation invites visitors to step directly into the heart of a monumental tree, creating an enduring bond between the viewer, the craft, and the landscape.
To honor those who help turn this vision into a reality, major donors will be permanently recognized on an on-site donor recognition plaque integrated into the installation site.
“Woodworking is a dialogue. From the living tree to the sawyer’s mill, and ultimately to the person who finds resonance in the finished form, a unique bond is forged. Woodhenge is an invitation for the community to step inside that story and feel their own connection to nature renewed.”
— Vicco von Voss
The site in Nancy’s Meadow aligns with the natural energetic presence of the landscape. As visitors approach via the surrounding walking path, the massive black walnut slabs will gradually reveal themselves through the forest understory before opening into the complete circle.
How to Support the Woodhenge Project
While state grant funding has laid the groundwork, private donations are essential to complete the sourcing, crafting, and permanent installation of the walnut pillars.
- Major Donor Recognition: Contributors making significant investments in the project will be permanently featured on the on-site donor plaque at Nancy’s Meadow.
- Get Involved: To learn more about sponsorship levels, make a contribution, or discuss major gift opportunities, please contact info@viccovonvoss.com or visit adkinsarboretum.org.
- Explore the Craft: Discover Vicco von Voss’s philosophy and portfolio at viccovonvoss.com.
About Vicco von Voss
Vicco von Voss creates fine handcrafted furniture and site-specific architectural woodwork rooted in a deep reverence for natural forms and sustainable forestry. Working primarily with locally harvested and reclaimed woods, his practice centers on the relationships formed throughout the lifespan of a piece, from the tree’s quiet history in the forest to the lasting connection built with the individual or community that receives it.
About Adkins Arboretum
Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native plant garden and preserve located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, dedicated to engaging all people in conservation, education, and appreciation of nature.