Wild River State Park artist-in-residence JG Everest places one of his speakers—encased in a felt vessel that resembles tree bark—on a branch. Photo: Brett Blocker
A walk through the woods reveals a natural symphony: Birds chirp, the wind moves through the trees and water burbles in nearby streams. At Wild River State Park, a composer and musician is collaborating with nature to introduce new elements that invite visitors to listen closely.
JG Everest has been the artist-in-residence at Wild River State Park since October 2024. During his residency, he created sound garden experiences, using more than 70 small sound speakers spread through a space. “[Sound gardens] are outdoor art installations made up of many intersecting layers of art and information,” he says. These layers include dance, history, music and poetry, which are often furnished by the park’s many events and invited collaborators.
His culminating event, Festival of Belonging, will take place over four weekends in August and September at Wild River. The free (with a park permit) event will include numerous performances, including dance, poetry, storytelling and visual art—along with the premiere of new pieces, spatial music and sound gardens. August 23 is the opening day, and Rosie Peters will lead three storytelling walks to the river with performances and activities from Annie Humphrey’s Fire in the Village collective.
JG Everest will be the artist-in-residence at Wild River State Park through August.
