Carving A Path To The Stars
Chainsaw artist turns tree stump into artwork on Shenandoah University’s main campus
A professional chainsaw carver has turned what was a blemish on Shenandoah University’s main campus into a work of art.
Andrew Mallon, founder of AM Sculptures in Northern Virginia, spent a week in April using a chainsaw and other power tools to transform a tree stump into a sculpture that pays homage to Shenandoah and the region. Two stars sit atop a pair of twisting trails that represent the student journey at SU, while the base is shaped to resemble a valley nestled between two mountains, a nod to the Shenandoah Valley.
The sculpture, located outside of the Wilkins Administration Building on the northeastern corner of the Campus Quad, was completed on April 21. The stump Mallon used to create his artwork was previously an aging, decaying elm tree that was losing limbs and became a safety hazard.
Mallon, who showcases his talents throughout the eastern U.S. year-round, was featured on the Discovery Channel competition series “A Cut Above.” Check out the video below to hear what Mallon had to say about his artwork at Shenandoah University.
