2025 Art in the Pines
Art Installations at Blue Ox 2025
Art in the Pines is an assortment of unique and engaging art created and installed by regional artists which you’ll find within the campground and festival bowl.
Congratulations to the applicants who were chosen to be a part of Art in the Pines at Blue Ox 2025!
(We had the most submissions this year than ever before which made our selection process even more difficult. We appreciate every one who submitted an application.)
Blue Ox Shrine – Emma Murano & Andy Caron (returning artist and installation)
An ode to the Blue Ox magic, the shrine provides a space for festival attendees to gather, place offerings, and set intentions. It contains a welcoming glow of light at night and a prominent presence during the day with the focal point of an ornate Blue Ox made from a guitar. Visitors are welcome welcome to explore the shrine and it’s forest themed details which will be placed with intricate intention.
Location: Along pathway to the Backwoods Stage
Bluegrass Chicken Shack: Space Egg Outpost- Jon Kehoe aka Bluegrass Chicken Man (returning artist)
The Bluegrass Chicken Man has teamed up with the Feed My People Food Bank in Eau Claire to raise money for locals in need. You late night birds be sure to come see the Disco Egg and the Space Egg Outpost…It’s far out.
Location: Woodchuck Camping Area
Brush Snake – Ross Nordquist
The piece will be made entirely from brush and found objects in the woods. It will take the form of a serpent which will appear to slither from the ground up into the trees.
Location: Along pathway
Can You See it? – Nora Phillips (returning artist and installation)
Gaze into the void within this infinity cube.
Location: Along pathway to the Backwoods Stage
Connections – Erika Crotty
This interactive art installation symbolizes how we are all interconnected. It will be displayed between trees, resembling a spiderweb or dreamcatcher, inviting viewers to tie or braid strings to contribute. Rooted in heritage and community, it encourages shared personal experiences and collective creativity. Inspired by the belief that art, music, and nature connect us, the piece aims to spark conversations and foster meaningful connections among festival-goers.
Location: Along pathway to the Backwoods Stage
Honey Bee Mural- John Kowalczyk (returning artist)
A wall of cellophane between trees will serve as a canvas for an all seeing honey bee, an ode to Honeybee Camp.
Location: Along pathway leading to Backwoods Stage
“If Only, If Only” – Nora Phillips (returning artist & installation)
Take flight with these life-sized stained (plexi) glass wings by local stained glass artist Olvi Glass.
Location: Music Festival Bowl, near Pond
Narcissus Pseudonarcissus Americans – Holley Andersen
This illuminated flower installation features a curated collection of repurposed materials sourced from the growing process such as woven industrial grain sacks, tomato cages, flower identification care tags, and irrigation pvc. Solar power is used as a primary energy source to illuminate the lite-brite peg embellished stems and daffodil-like petals on these 12’-15’ flowers.
Location: At the Backwoods Stage
Neon Forest – Gifted to Blue Ox from Haley and Eric Pratt
A retro inspired neon sign and a school of glowing jellyfish light the way and add surreal nighttime magic to the Backwoods Stage!
Location: At the Backwoods Stage
“The Grounding Fountain” – Peter Whiteman
A tranquil wishing well for peace, healing and clarity, tucked away into the Pines along the path in the greenery of the forest. Created using stones found around the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers, it will invite festival attendees in with a softly illuminated path. You’re encouraged to make a wish, take a deep breath and experience a moment of tranquility at the faerie fountain. Gifts to the faeries encouraged.
Location: Along pathway leading to Backwoods Stage, by Honeybee camp
Troupe Phantôme Phantoche – Rodney Arthur and Stacey Huffstutler (returning artist & installation)
An interactive, psychedelic shadow puppet theater featuring an expanded cast of woodland festival inspired characters for guests to stop in and play with on the big screen during the music each night. Hand shadows, hoopers and dancers are encouraged to take advantage of this backdrop as well. During the day there will be a puppet making station with all supplies to make your own creations for the evening puppet shows.
Location: Music Festival Bowl
Up and Away – Jennifer Castellano-Sanguine Art Studio (returning artist & installation)
Hand woven hoops, inspired by bubbles and the joy they bring to families and many others.
Sanguine Art Studio Facebook Page
Location: Along pathway by the Backwoods Stage
Wander down to Whimsy Way – Raechel Schultz
Take a trip through the whispering pines and wander down to Whimsy Way! By day, sunlight dances through the pines to create a celestial kaleidoscope of color and fun. Then as dusk settles, the magic deepens. Through clever reflections and colorful illumination, the archway transforms into an enchanting nighttime passage, inviting you to wander through all its radiance and sparkle.
If you pause to wonder where you are, I bid you welcome! You have wandered into Whimsy Way!
Location: Pathway leading down to the Backwoods Stage
Woodgrain Windows: Phases of the Sky – Sarah Gleiss (returning artist)
The inspiration for this piece comes from Mother Nature’s greatest palette; the sky. Every year, without fail, The Pines concert bowl presents the most exquisite backdrop for the magic happening on stage. A sunrise over the pond, dreamy clouds floating through a bluebird sky, or a mystical moonlit starry night dance party – the anticipation grows as the festival unfolds. This colorful forest window pays homage to the beauty above.
Location: TBD