BY LEAH RETHY

In print | Published January 24, 2008

Recently, I went to check out the new sculpture that local artist Marty Long created out of the remnants of the once magnificent Bender Oak that stood on the path to the Faulkner Tennis Courts. This particular oak was estimated to be anywhere from 150 to 350 years old, certainly here long before the College was established, and its botanical name is Quercus x benderi. (The “x” indicates the oak’s status as a hybrid of Q. coccinea and Q. rubra).

According to Arboretum Visitor Programs Coordinator Rebecca Robert, the tree’s status as a naturally occurring hybrid made it unique since most hybrids are intentionally created by arborists and don’t occur, as this one did, by chance in nature. Robert also stated that it was partially the rarity of this type of tree that led to the decision to celebrate it with a sculpture.

The oak had been deteriorating for a number of years, and after the decision to cut it down was made, the Collections Committee at the Arboretum asked Marty Long to create an art piece commemorating the tree. The Arboretum knew about Marty through his work at the Morris Arboretum, where he had created a “green man mask” comprised of many carved leaves. Long, though now a prolific wood sculptor, did not start out working in this medium. He began his career, in fact, at culinary school, where he went from carving butter and chocolate to carving ice, even winning a silver medal at the World Ice Art Champions. At present, he works entirely on commission and carves primarily in wood. Long stated that although he has progressed from materials far less permanent than wood, he enjoys creating art that has a definite life span (he estimates this sculpture will last between 10 and 20 years) because he sees art as being “like music — it stays for a period of time and then can be remembered.”

Long created the sculpture over winter break, beginning on Dec. 22 and finishing up just under a month later on Jan.19. The sculpture, for those who have yet to see it, is in the form of an oak leaf and acorn. The basic motif for the sculpture was provided by the Arboretum, although Long was given a great deal of creative freedom. “The committee suggested a sculpture, an ode to oaks — Marty took it from there,” Robert said.

Swarthmore students have had a variety of reactions to the art piece. Even though Stephan Lefebvre ‘11, like most first-years, never saw the Bender Oak while it was living, he appreciated the sculpture and its skillful execution: "I like the smooth finish…it’s great." Anjali Jaiman ‘10, however, preferred the stump: "I could climb and play in it, [but] now it’s Art." The next time you are on your way to Olde Club, take a small detour and take a look at the sculpture to see what you think of the latest addition to Swarthmore’s campus.

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