A CAPPELLA
Client: City of Jacksonville
Location: Jacksonville, FL - USA
Service: Community Engagement, Design, Fabrication, Installation
Date Installed: 5/2026
‘A Cappella’ is an interactive artwork that celebrates the individuality and interconnectedness of the vast body of musical voices that have emerged from Jacksonville, Florida, over time. The project was developed as a part of a new music heritage garden that sits along the St Johns River right behind the Jacksonville Symphony. The piece sits within a musical note designed within the landscape that people can occupy. The flowing form of the work and how it interacts with the space is inspired by the structure of a symphony. The work is organized into four sections inspired by the four movements of a symphony.
Each movement is shaped by a tempo, emotion, and theme, embodied in the selected song lyrics, creating distinct experiences tied to the themes of motivation, home, love, and freedom, respectively. Together, these sections tell the story of Jacksonville as a symphony composed of many voices, generations, and perspectives. The tempo and emotions of the selected songs help shape the atmosphere of each section, allowing visitors to move through distinct experiences while remaining connected within a unified story.
“ Love seeing the community experience the space and looking forward to seeing continued engagement and feedback as folks continue to discover the work. ”
Inspired by the power of the voices and lyricism of Jacksonville, this project transforms song lyrics from Jacksonville artists through utilizing wordplay into an interactive experience where visitors are invited not only to reflect on the city’s past and present music, but also to actively shape new lyrics of their own. Developed through community engagement with Jacksonville residents, the project draws from a collection of 84 songs by more than 60 Jacksonville artists, spanning from the 1920s through the 2020s. Community members helped identify songs and lyrics that resonate with the history and identity of Jacksonville. The selected lyrics represent generations of voices and musical styles, showcasing both the diversity of the city and the commonalities that continue across time.
“Thank you for honoring us in this amazing and unique piece of art. Love it!”
By combining music, play, storytelling, and public participation, the project aims to create an environment that reflects Jacksonville’s musical identity while inviting new voices and interpretations to emerge for generations to come.
These lyrics were then broken into both individual words and smaller verses that could be rearranged and recombined into endless amounts of variations. The work encourages visitors to create their own verses while learning about the existing music that has come from Jacksonville. Through the gamified experience of remixing words and phrases from different artists and eras, participants can discover connections between songs, emotions, and genres. The installation highlights how themes explored in music decades apart often continue to speak to one another today.
The visual and interactive design further expands on the works open-ended play design. The dichroic, reflective panels throughout the installation allow visitors to engage with the surrounding environment through shadow and light. In addition to the interactive components, the design incorporates seating areas that encourage gathering, rest, and observation. A central circular bench describes in writing the connection between the four movements of a symphony and the four sections, creating a communal focal point where visitors can learn about the chosen lyrics, watch others interact with the work, and experience the space together.
