Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Susie Pickering

Oak Lane Day School

137 Stenton Ave, Blue Bell, PA 19422

Phone: 610-825-1055

Fax: 610-825-9288

Email: spickering@oaklanedayschool.org

Wood Sculpture Installation at Oak Lane Day School

Exciting happenings are afoot at Oak Lane Day School! A long-term project has finally come to fruition and brings a day of celebration. A few years ago, when Oak Lane's new gymnasium was built (now called The Leah Cutler Gymnasium), a grand old Oak tree had to be cut down to make room. Loath to lose the tree altogether, members of the Oak Lane community decided to have the wood milled and cured to save for later use. A great deal of thought went into deciding what to do with the wood. When a talented woodworking artist was brought to the Oak Lane community's attention, it was decided that the old tree would become a beautiful piece of art.

Introduced to the school by Oak Lane pre-kindergarten teacher Judy Leigh, Vicco von Voss is a renowned wood sculptor originally from Hamburg, Germany who now resides and works in Chestertown, MD. Mr. von Voss took on the challenge and pleasure of turning the wood into something wonderful and new. A sculpture of graceful, reaching branches of old Oak now frames the entrance to the main hallway of the school's classroom building. The artwork itself is intended to be a place for the children to showcase their own artwork, nature finds, and favorite things. All are encouraged to touch the wood and celebrate the still intact spirit of the tree.

After a lovely music-filled assembly where the artist was introduced to the school community and the stories of the tree and the making of the sculpture were told, the children and teachers had an opportunity to view and feel the magnificent sculpture. Mr. von Voss was on hand to answer questions and talk about his process of creation. The details of the sculpture are delightful. Hanging from a high branch are wonderfully wrought carvings of an oak leaf and acorn, and the unstained wood is structured here and there to provide niches in which to tuck treasures or display a favorite poem.  

Recently featured in the "Waterfront Home Design" magazine (Spring 2007), Mr. von Voss has a reputation for capturing in his art the natural beauty of wood. The spirit of the tree is alive and well within the artwork. A consummate artist, Mr. von Voss describes his creative process as follows: “It is uppermost in my mind to allow the wood to speak its history. I use the shape of the wood and the flow of the grain as elements in the design of a piece. This serves to celebrate the beauty of the tree and gives the tree a second life.” The Oak Lane Day School community is thrilled and gratified by the rebirth of the old Oak through the sensitive hands and gorgeous artistry of Mr. von Voss.

Oak Lane Day School Information

An independent elementary school, founded in 1916 and located in Blue Bell, Oak Lane Day School serves a diverse population of boys and girls. Oak Lane honors each child's unique individuality while fostering intellectual, creative, academic, and personal growth within a diverse community of active, engaged learners. Small class sizes and an atmosphere that encourages children to develop their academic and social skills are priorities at Oak Lane, where learning is a meaningful and joyous pursuit. Oak Lane's country-like property of 30 acres along Butler Pike and Stenton Avenue boasts a stream, pond, woods, meadows, and specimen trees as well as athletic fields and playgrounds.

Oak Lane Day School is accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS).