05/26/2026
"Remembering Philip Aaberg and Many Worlds in the Woods"
Phil Aaberg came to Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild through a shared belief that art, landscape, music, and community could exist together in profound harmony. During my years as Artistic Director of BPSW, I had the privilege of connecting with Phil and discovering not only his extraordinary gifts as a musician, but also his deep generosity of spirit and commitment to the vision of the park.
From the very beginning, Phil understood what Sculpture in the Wild aspired to be — a place where creativity and nature speak to one another, where people gather not simply to observe art, but to experience connection. His enthusiasm for that vision led him to join us wholeheartedly in our efforts to raise funds for the purchase of a grand piano for the park, a dream that he recognized as both practical and symbolic: an instrument that would allow music to become part of the landscape itself.
Over the years, Phil participated in numerous fundraising events, always bringing with him his remarkable talents as both a performer and communicator. Whether seated at the piano or speaking with supporters, he had the rare ability to make people feel the emotional truth behind the work. He could articulate why places like Sculpture in the Wild matter — why art in nature nourishes communities and why beauty deserves stewardship.
One of my most cherished collaborations with Phil began in 2021, when I commissioned him to compose and perform an original work inspired by the sculptures and landscape of Sculpture in the Wild. The result was Many Worlds in the Woods, created during his tenure as 2022/23 Composer-in-Residence. The musical premiere took place on July 8, 2023, and I was fortunate to be there to celebrate with Phil and the entire community gathered for that extraordinary occasion. Hearing the composition performed on site was deeply moving. The music seemed to rise directly from the sculptures, the trees, and the landscape itself — a reflection of Phil’s unique ability to translate place, memory, and human connection into sound.
Phil’s legacy at Sculpture in the Wild is not measured only by performances or events, but by the enduring generosity, artistry, and humanity he shared with all of us.
We remain profoundly grateful for his friendship, his music, and the lasting imprint he leaves on Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild.
— Kevin O’Dwyer
Founding Artistic Director,
Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild
