Bright blue skies and sunshine paired with fresh apple cider, classical music and a spectacular natural landscape to create the perfect day for ZenaFest.
About 250 people attended the Sustainability Institute’s annual fall event at Willamette’s 305-acre research and learning property in the hills west of campus on Sept. 9. Students, alumni and other community members hiked through the forest and across the prairie, sampled fresh-pressed cider and learned about the area’s natural resources on tours led by Willamette faculty.
Classical music added another element to delight the senses, with an afternoon and evening performance by nationally recognized pianist Hunter Noack. In a corresponding live art installation, Assistant Professor of Art Cayla Skillin-Brauchle, Chloe A. Lawton ’18 and a group of students attached ribbons to plants surrounding the concert platform, creating a colorful, vibrant response to the music.
Some 50 alumni attended the evening performance after enjoying a private wine-tasting event at Perrydale Hills Vineyard organized by the Willamette University Alumni Association.