Cubical Cactus In 2003, Smokebrush artists transformed an ash tree near the Uncle Wilber Fountain that had been lost to drought into a whimsically painted, cactus-like sculpture with stunning metal cactus blooms. The Smokebrush Foundation was approached by the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department and asked if they would like to adopt the project of turning the tree trunk into a sculpture. Kat Tudor, who founded the Smokebrush Foundation for the arts in 1992, thought it would be fun to create a sculpture that complements the nearby Uncle Wilber Fountain. Tudor also developed the design and painted the sculpture. While working on the tree, the artists’ beginning design evolved to work with the existing tree trunk. Metal cactus blooms were added to top off the colorful spiraled trunk. The foundation commissioned wood sculptor George Peterson of North Carolina to accomplish the special carving of the tree’s trunk. Peterson used to live in Colorado Springs and has made a life as an accomplished wood carver. He has even invented special wood carving tools to supplement his talents. The project is funded by the Smokebrush Foundation in cooperation with the City of Colorado Springs Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Department.