Situated within a musical note embedded in the landscape, A Cappella is an interactive public artwork that celebrates the individuality and interconnectedness of the many musical voices that have emerged from Jacksonville, Florida, across generations. Located within the new Jacksonville Riverfront Music Garden along the St. Johns River, adjacent to the Jacksonville Symphony, the installation serves as both a tribute to the city’s rich musical heritage and an invitation for visitors to become part of its ongoing story.
The installation, designed by The Urban Conga, is organized into four distinct sections inspired by the four movements of a symphony, each shaped by a unique tempo, emotion, and theme. Centered on the ideas of motivation, home, love, and freedom, these movements create a sequence of experiences that collectively portray Jacksonville as a living symphony composed of many voices, perspectives, and eras. While each section offers its own atmosphere, they remain connected through a shared narrative that reflects the city’s cultural identity.
Developed through extensive community engagement, the project draws from a collection of 84 songs by more than 60 Jacksonville artists spanning the 1920s through the 2020s. Residents helped identify songs and lyrics that resonate with the history, character, and identity of Jacksonville, resulting in a diverse collection of voices and musical styles connected by shared themes that transcend time. The work is also set up to accommodate new artists to be added over time.
Selected lyrics were deconstructed into individual words and short verses that can be rearranged and recombined into countless new compositions. Through the playful act of remixing words from different artists, genres, and decades, visitors can discover unexpected connections while creating their own lyrical expressions. The installation highlights how ideas explored in music across generations continue to resonate today, revealing both the diversity and continuity of Jacksonville’s cultural landscape.
The visual design further expands upon the project’s open-ended approach to play and discovery. Dichroic and reflective panels invite visitors to engage with shifting light, color, shadow, and reflections throughout the day. Integrated seating areas encourage gathering, conversation, and observation, while a central circular bench serves as a communal focal point, explaining the relationship between the four movements of a symphony and the four sections of the artwork. Together, these elements create opportunities for learning, reflection, and shared experience.
By combining music, play, storytelling, and public participation, A Cappella creates a dynamic environment that honors Jacksonville’s musical identity while empowering new voices, interpretations, and connections to emerge for generations to come.
Photography by Christopher Brickman.
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