Almost hidden from view, Jim Walker helps installation artist Patrick Dougherty create a piece. (Michelle Pemberton for The Star)

Dougherty (right) trains Jim to weave branches into sculpture. (Michelle Pemberton for The Star)

Patrick Dougherty by one of his site specific sculptures on the campus of DePauw University. (Michelle Pemberton for The Star)

You don't have to ask me twice to help build a treehouse.

That's just what I did recently at the DePauw University campus in Greencastle.

But this wasn't your typical treehouse.

Sure, the swirly, leaning huts conceived by sculptor Patrick Dougherty are made of small trees and lots and lots of sticks. But, like the one in the sculpture garden behind the Indianapolis Art Center, Dougherty's structures stand on the ground.

And they bear little resemblance to something a kid could build. Instead, these intentionally misshapen huts -- complete with oblique doorways and window holes -- look like something a kid might imagine. Or read about in a Grimm's fairy tale.

Dougherty, a North Carolina-based artist who uses natural materials to make his semi-temporary sculptures -- each lasts between a year and two years -- spent most of November leading a crew of volunteers who helped build the five shapes.

The process started with gathering several saplings trees and branches from area willow and dogwood trees.

Volunteers then prepared the branches by stripping away the leaves while Dougherty created the skeleton of the shapes using sturdy saplings and twine.

The most time-consuming work then followed as volunteers, using scaffolding to reach the tops of the 13-foot shapes, wove branches into the structure.

That's where I came along -- joining a few others in standing or sitting on the scaffolding's thick boards, pulling willow branches in and out of the other stronger sticks.

While Dougherty had a specific vision for the project from the start, the volunteers enjoyed plenty of choice in placing our angled twigs. At the end, Dougherty took over to give each shape its trademark swirl, making it appear both still and in motion.

It was fun to be part of a unusual project and to be able to help build this work of art that will certainly leave an impression on all who see it.

Sculpture at DePauw University

While work is complete on sculptor Patrick Doughterty's pieces, the public is welcome to visit to check them out at any time.

Where: 408 S. Locust St., Greencastle. The sculpture is north of the Memorial Student Union Building and south of East College.

Info: (765) 658-4336, www.depauw.edu/acad/art