Boone, NC - World-renowned artist Patrick Dougherty will visit Appalachian State University on Thursday, April 16, 2026 to present a public talk in conjunction with Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage, his first-of-its-kind exhibition currently on view at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) through May 17, 2026. The event is free and open to the public.
Dougherty’s 40-year career, best known for immersive, building-sized “stickwork” sculptures, has been shaped by the communities he invites into each installation. Across projects worldwide, many collaborators return repeatedly, traveling many miles for the opportunity to build with Dougherty, time and time again.
Dougherty's visit to Appalachian State occurs at a transition point in his career as he shifts toward a studio practice after decades of constructing colossal outdoor works with communities. His talk is open to all, with a particular resonance for artists and Appalachian State students, and will offer insights into his artistic process and purpose, as well as reflect on how creative work can help us find grounding during moments of transition.
Photo: Josh White
In addition to the public talk, Dougherty will spend the afternoon on campus meeting with students. Appalachian State's Art Management program will host a student roundtable discussion with Dougherty, creating an opportunity for a smaller group of students to engage in conversation about creative practice, professional pathways, and the ways art can build connections across communities.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Location: Great Hall, Living Learning Center, Appalachian State University
Address: 301 Bodenheimer Drive, Boone, NC 28608
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Program Begins: 6:30 p.m.
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be served
Admission: Free and open to the public
"Patrick's work tells a deeply human story about art, nature, and the connections forged between them. We hope you'll join us at the museum and see the exhibition in person—and celebrate with BRAHM in honoring the reach and resonance of Dougherty's extraordinary work." — Stephan Dragisic, Teresa & Don Caine Executive Director
"We wanted to bring Patrick to Appalachian State because we felt he had such an incredible perspective to share with the students. Here is a North Carolina artist who has traveled the world bringing people together and inspiring wonder through art. This event will offer a more intimate—yet no less monumental—view of his career." — Willard Watson, BRAHM Programs and Outreach Director
Photo: Josh White
"Bringing Patrick Dougherty to campus is a gift for our students. Meeting him in person, asking questions, and learning how his practice has evolved offers students a firsthand view of how community and generosity shape an artistic life. Collaborating with BRAHM illustrates to students how essential community connections and partnerships are in the arts, and what happens when institutions work together." — Jody Servon, Professor and Coordinator, Art Management Program, Appalachian State University
This event is presented in partnership between BRAHM and Appalachian State University's Department of Art Lecture Series, with support from the Cathy P. Walling Visiting Artist Fund.
Photo: Josh White
Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage is presented to the community by Wells Fargo. BRAHM is grateful to Media Sponsor PBS North Carolina, with special thanks to Marjorie Hodges and Artsuite for support of this exhibition.
About the Exhibition: Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage
Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage, the first exhibition of its kind, is dedicated to the acclaimed environmental sculptor whose immersive stickworks have transformed landscapes around the world for over four decades. This landmark exhibition offers a more intimate—yet no less monumental—view of Dougherty's career.
At its center are eight sculptural works that showcase Dougherty's material ingenuity on a gallery scale: vessels, masks, and wall-mounted forms that remain superhuman in size yet deeply approachable. The heart of Pilgrimage, however, is its tribute to the collaborative spirit that underpins each of Dougherty's ephemeral installations.
On view for the first time, a monumental wall case displays nearly 250 pairs of Dougherty's work gloves—one for each major project. Frayed, worn, and signed by hundreds of volunteers and community members, the gloves serve as relics of shared labor and creative devotion. Accompanied by drawings, personal artifacts, cherished sticks, and large-scale photographs, the gloves form a powerful material record of a practice built on generosity, transformation, and place.
About BRAHM
BRAHM's mission is to curate, preserve, educate, and inspire. Rooted in the creative cultures of Appalachia, BRAHM aims to cultivate a community that extends beyond its walls and region, positioning Western North Carolina as a leader in the arts. The 25,000- square-foot Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, known as BRAHM, opened its doors on October 1, 2011. Located off Main Street in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, BRAHM provides cultural enrichment by promoting the arts and history through educational programs, exhibitions, and activities. The permanent collection of more than 600 objects includes works by Elliott Daingerfield, Maud Gatewood, Elizabeth Bradford, Mark Hewitt, and other American impressionist and post-impressionist artists. Open year-round, BRAHM welcomes 24,000 visitors free of charge to experience 25 changing exhibitions. BRAHM also has an outreach education program that encourages arts education in local schools, daycares, and senior centers. For more information, visit blowingrockmuseum.org.
About the Department of Art
One of seven departments within the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Art at Appalachian State University prepares students to explore art, identity, expression, and creative problem-solving, while challenging them to push beyond their previous limits by discovering new connections to culture. The department offers degrees in art and visual culture, art education, graphic design, studio art, photography, and graphic communications management, with minors in art history, studio art, photography, and graphic communications management. Learn more at art.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education for all.
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Patrick Dougherty thumbnail