#5: Queen Mother
Levi Yakubu, 2026
You can find this piece just off the paved StoryWalk trail, on a three-trunked tree.
About the tree
Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera L.
aka “Tulip-tree” and “Yellow Poplar”. Surprisingly, this tree belongs to the Magnolia family, not the Poplar family and commonly reaches a height of 90’-110’. It can live 100-150 years. The large orange and green tulip shaped flowers give it its common name and are a spring wildflower favorite for honeybees. The leaves, composed of four large lobes resembling a saddle, turn from green to bright yellow in fall.
Fun facts: The tall, straight trunk was hewed for canoes by native Americans and early settlers. Today it is one of the largest and most valuable trees in the United States.
About the project
In March 2026, twelve trees in Pritchard Park will be home to clay masks and figures, created by artist Levi Yakubu and inspired by his Nigerian background.
Levi Yakubu is a graduate of Dordt University in Fine Arts Studio with an emphasis in ceramics. He is a 5th generation potter who grew up in Nigeria surrounded by mentors like his father who have influenced his work today. Yakubu draws upon his rich cultural background, the Tiv ethnic group of West Africa, to create artwork that speaks to his cultural identity and encourages dialogue around difficult issues. He currently resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where he is an art teacher.
See more of Levi's work on Instagram @yakubupottery.
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