A new monumental sculpture rises from the Earth at Firefly Grove Park
September 2, 2026 | Topics: featured artist, Places
By Eddee Daniel
Like the recently planted saplings surrounding her, she rises from the hillside, growing out of the Earth. She gestures out towards the park in front of her, long flowing hair wafting around her head as if caught in a momentary breeze. A bevy of stylized but recognizable animals, which she seems to have released, stands just beyond her outstretched hand. Her gaze takes in the entirety of her new home, Firefly Grove Park, with its carefully and creatively designed landscape, unconventional playground, and already famous previous inhabitant: Mama Rosa, the giant and mischievous troll.
She is called “Sacred Rhythm Mother” by her creators, Justin Roberts and Nathan Kennedy of the creative team Walk the Willow. They were commissioned to do the work by Discover Wauwatosa, the city’s official tourism organization, which was also instrumental in the development of the park.
“We’re thrilled to create such a momentous piece like Sacred Rhythm Mother in one of the most whimsical and imaginative parks we’ve ever seen,” said Justin Roberts, Walk the Willow CEO and lead artist. “It’s clear to us that Wauwatosa shares a similar goal and passion as our team—creating conversations about restoring our natural world through awe-inspiring art.”
It’s clear from the work that Roberts and Kennedy don’t just “walk the willow” but also “walk the talk” of restoring the natural world. The sculptures are made from recycled materials, along with willow, invasive buckthorn, driftwood, and other natural elements, some of which were harvested right in the park. All of which is especially fitting in Firefly Grove since the park itself was created out of a reclaimed landfill.
The centerpiece of the sculptural ensemble, Sacred Rhythm Mother’s head, which is presented only partially emerged from the ground, stands eleven feet tall—large enough to hold her own in a neighborhood that includes a giant troll. She is more than awe-inspiring, however. She is also interactive and family-friendly. At the opening ceremony on Friday evening, her appeal was immediately apparent to children of all ages, as well as the merely young at heart. Kids quickly discovered the two child-sized entrances into the interior at the ears, underneath the flowing hair. An adult-scaled, ADA-compliant arched opening at the back of her head ensures that anyone can access the inside as well.
A large crowd attended the opening. After remarks by Justin Roberts and Beth Gleesing of Discover Wauwatosa, there were also readings by local children’s author Jessica Stremer and Wisconsin Poet Laureate Brenda Cárdenas. Taking a cue from Walk the Willow, Stremer read from her recent book, Wonderfully Wild, which features a willow tree. Cárdenas read an evocative poem about the new sculptures that she had written especially for the occasion. With her blessing, the poem is reprinted below.
“The new sculptures represent another truly unique attraction anyone can experience in Firefly Grove Park,” said Beth Gleesing. “The park is quickly becoming a microcosm for what we want locals and visitors to experience in Wauwatosa—a place where art, nature, fitness, and community intersect. And we’re happy that Mama Rosa will have a permanent friend.”
The park itself is only a year old, but has already attracted regional attention. With the additional sculptures Wauwatosa seems to be positioning Firefly Grove Park as a destination for those interested in popular family-oriented and earth-centered public art works. Officials are also quick to point out that the placement of the new sculptures on the north-facing slope will not hinder its already popular use as a sledding hill.
Walk the Willow, located in Kentucky, has established a reputation for large-scale sculptural pieces made from willow, as well as functional furniture and basketry. Roberts and his work have been featured in Southern Living and regional PBS shows in the last decade. More information about Walk the Willow and previous works can be found on their website.
Sacred Rhythm Mother
(inspired by Justin Roberts’ sculpture of the same title and the Anishinaabe Flood Story as told to me by Keewaydinoquay)
~ Brenda Cárdenas
Spirit coils willow branches, twists
buckthorn, wraps and weaves them
around metal stems until an arm stretches
into an open hand and fingers unfurl,
releasing Mallard, mink, kingfisher
who waddle, skulk, skim to rivers, ponds,
lakes. Blue and green herons follow
Earth mother’s gaze, flapping fringed
wings to join jet streams while dust,
ash, steam and sand whirl in the wind,
all dancing to sacred rhythms—ocean
waves smacking the continental
shelf, each season beating its drum.
Here, muskrat and turtle reunite
reminding us that after the great flood
when pairs of birds, animals, insects
floated on a raft in endless water
unable to find land, muskrat swam
to the depths for a handful of dirt,
finally surfacing as he drew his last
breath. Grateful for this sacrifice,
turtle offered his back as ground
for a new world. And so the sacred
cycle continues to spin. And so
the sacred rhythm continues to pulse.
And so, our mother looks upon us,
extends her hands, invites us to join
her in an ecstatic dance of hope.
Learn more about Wisconsin’s poet laureate, Brenda Cárdenas, on her website.
~ Justin Roberts
Thanks go to Discover Wauwatosa for most of the factual information in this story.
Related stories
Firefly Grove:
Firefly Grove Park opens with a bang! And a troll.
Public Sculpture:
New public sculpture on Hank Aaron State Trail: An introduction
A Woodland Sculpture Garden and a Wilderness Walk
The Birds Are Here: Public Art Lands on Lakeshore State Park
Eddee Daniel, writer/photographer, is a board member of Preserve Our Parks, the Program Director of A Wealth of Nature, editor of The Natural Realm blog (and a former art educator and resident of Wauwatosa). Read more or subscribe at awealthofnature.org. Also available by arrangement for group presentations and guided tours.
The Natural Realm blog is part of A Wealth of Nature, which is a program of Preserve Our Parks.
About Preserve Our Parks
Preserve Our Parks, Inc. is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of parks and green spaces. Our mission: To advocate for and promote Milwaukee area parks and open spaces and to strive to protect the tenets of Wisconsin’s Public Trust Doctrine.
For more than 25 years, we have been a leader in advocating for the protection of Milwaukee County park lands, halting many proposals to develop, privatize, or sell local parkland and lakefront spaces. More information about POP, including past accomplishments, is available at www.preserveourparks.org.