Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) was an influential German artist who came to prominence in the 1960s. He is known for his performances, sculptures, environments, vitrines, prints, posters, and thousands of drawings. He was a charismatic and controversial artist, a committed teacher, and a political activist.  Beuys highlighted the need for greater environmental awareness across the globe through his ongoing social sculpture project entitled, 7000 Oaks. With the help of over 20 organizations in Baltimore, 7000 Oaks inspired the planting of over 350 trees and several stones by over 500 people in Baltimore Parks and at the UMBC sculpture site in 2000.

Baltimore is among the major urban centers to embrace Joseph Beuys' ideas. Beginning in the fall of 2000, with the help of community volunteers, 242 indigenous trees were planted locally as social sculpture in Patterson Park, Carroll Park, Wyman Park Dell, and at UMBC. During the first phase, the project initiators provided 100 trees each at Patterson and Carroll Parks, 12 trees and 4 stones at Wyman Park Dell, and 30 oak trees and granite stones at UMBC. A special ceremony at each site celebrated the revitalized landscape.

Carroll Park
October 28, 2000
Over 250 people from the Carroll Park Neighborhood assisted in planting 100 trees. A watering/maintenance plan continued for two summers. A granite stone  was placed for the dedication.

Patterson Park
November 11, 2000
Over 300 people from the Patterson Park Neighborhood assisted in planting 70 trees. A watering/maintenance plan continued for two summers. A granite stone was placed for the dedication. On March 16, 2001, students from Highlandtown Middle School planted an additional 30 trees.

Wyman Park Dell
April 4, 2001
Twelve oaks were planted by 52 volunteers in Wyman Park Dell. Four granite stones were placed on the upper dell.

UMBC
Thirty oak trees and 30 granite stones were planted in the spring of 2001 in an area dedicated as the Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park.

UMBC Hallway Gallery Exhibition
April 9-20, 2001
Projects from the Joseph Beuys Education Outreach Program were displayed in the Hallway Gallery at UMBC. Participating schools were Highlandtown Elementary, School 34, and the 21st Century Threshold Project. (Curated by Cyriaco Lopez)

Organized by CADVC with special thanks to Renee Van Der Stelt, Museum Educator and Registrar

Funded by the TKF Foundation, Annapolis, Maryland

Reviews

"For centuries, great thinkers have wondered about the auditory effect of a tree falling in the forest. Now, thanks to a unique partnership between a state university art gallery and 21 local organizations, modern philosophers can ponder a new question: If a community gathers around a tree planting, does the result become art?"

Eileen Murphy
The Greening of Baltimore: UMBC Program Brings Together Forestry and Art
City Paper
October 25, 2000

"Everyone can be an artist" Beuys often said. He didn't mean that you or I ever will be capable of painting a masterpiece. He meant that everyone is capable of creative acts and has both the ability - and responsibility- to shape his own world. Hence the trees. See?"

Holly Selby
Conceptual Art Takes Root in Baltimore
The Baltimore Sun

Top Photo: Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park at UMBC and Tree Partnership