WETLANDS IMPROV
At Berks Nature, Reading, PA
Artist: Sarah Kavage
Project: Water Spirit
Completed: March 2021
Assistant: Dreya Kay
Special thanks to: Larry Lloyd, Kim Murphy and the Berks staff, and the kids at the Nature Play School for their help and enthusiasm!
About
Wetlands Improv is an installation created “in situ” in the willow patch at Berks Nature center. Sculptures made out of willow harvested on site can be found throughout the willow patch, making a kid-friendly world to explore, sit, and observe the adjacent wetland and meadow.
Completely improvised, Wetlands Improv was inspired by Red Winged Blackbirds, whose distinctive song provided the soundtrack for the weeklong build in March. The shade structure over the bench is living willow, built at a workshop in October 2020. During the workshop, Senior Ecologist Larry Lloyd shared the saying “don’t fight the site.” This reminder to work with what nature is already doing guided the creation of the artwork.
Visit
To find the artwork: Walk from the Nature Place parking lot, past the building and across the small bridge over the Angelica Creek. Stay on the trail and go right for a short distance till it dead ends. You will see the bench with the living willow shelter over it. The willow patch is right behind it - look for the tall, almost bamboo like willow and go into the willow patch to find the artwork hidden in plain sight!
Accessibility information
The location is on a grassy trail that is not paved, but is kept mowed. There are some steep hills between the parking lot and the artwork location. The willow patch itself will have some narrow passages and low branches that may restrict people with physical mobility challenges or requiring mobility assistive devices. The willow patch is often wet and muddy. Wear boots, and/or stay on the high ground to the right as you enter.
Gallery
Photo credit: Robert Zverina and Sarah Kavage
