Mama Rosa is Getting Some New Friends in Firefly Grove Park this Month
WAUWATOSA, Wisc. (Monday, August 10, 2026) – Sacred Rhythm Mother and some of her animal friends are coming to life in Firefly Grove Park this August. The centerpiece of the new sculpture collection will be a large human face of the Sacred Rhythm Mother ascending from the Earth with her arm “releasing” animals into the park. Funded through room tax dollars, the major art sculpture is being designed and developed by the artist team Walk the Willow. The project is expected to be completed before Labor Day, pending weather.
“The new sculptures that will become the Sacred Rhythm Mother represent another truly unique attraction anyone can experience in Firefly Grove Park,” said Beth Gleesing, Discover Wauwatosa tourism specialist. “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 art piece represents Mother Earth lifting her head in hope as she extends her right arm to release seven animals back into the wild. Animals include a Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Mallard duck, Belted Kingfisher, mink, turtles (seen in the photo, below), and muskrat.
Mama Rosa is getting some new friends in Firefly Grove Park this month
The head of Sacred Rhythm Mother will be approximately 11 feet tall at its highest point, up to 18 feet wide, and 22 feet long. There is a planned ADA-compliant archway near the top of her head and two smaller openings at the ears to enter the natural space “inside” the head. Her arm will stretch 34 feet long, and will be 8 feet tall and 9 feet wide. The animals will range in size from 1 to 7 feet tall.
Sacred Rhythm Mother will be in the southeast corner of Firefly Grove park spanning from midway up the large hill to its base, ensuring sledding is not affected in winter. The sculptures will be made from buckthorn, willow, driftwood, other natural materials, recycled metal, recycled wood, and other found objects. A metal armature, which is taking shape this week, will serve as the “skeleton” of the art.
“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.”
Walk the Willow has previously developed large-scale pieces made from willow, as well as furniture and baskets. 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 here.
Firefly Grove Park is home to massive troll sculpture Mama Rosa, a playground with natural play areas, a retention pond, and the region’s only bike pump track. More information about Firefly Grove Park can be found here.
Visit the Discover Wauwatosa website for more information about art in Wauwatosa.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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