The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) is set to remove the large sculpture entitled "The Cure" that has stood in downtown Brattleboro's Plaza Park in for the past three years. BMAC commissioned the temporary sculpture by North Carolina artist Patrick Dougherty in 2002. Dougherty, with the help of many local volunteers, worked tirelessly for two weeks to create the sculpture assembled entirely from sticks, twigs, and branches gathered from maple saplings in West Brattleboro.
The sculpture's title, "The Cure," references The Water Cure of 1846-71. In 1846 the United States' third water cure spa opened in Brattleboro. Wealthy patrons came from all over New England to experience the popular local water cure. Dougherty liked the water cure idea of "returning to nature as cure," and thus chose this theme for his work in Plaza Park. In 2002 the Town of Brattleboro returned water to the fountain in the Park to further enhance Dougherty's sculpture.
The temporary sculpture was originally scheduled to remain at the site for one to two years. After three years and much enjoyment by the public, the sculpture is deteriorating rapidly and no longer reflects the artist's original artistic vision. Much of the structure is sagging and safety has become a concern.
The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center has requested that the Town of Brattleboro assist in the safe dismantling of the sculpture. Under the direction of the Museum, the Town Public Works Department and the Recreation and Parks Department will take apart and remove the structure this Monday, April 11, 2005. The sticks and branches will be chipped and returned to the earth. The Town has future plans to revitalize and restore the park to its original beauty and design.