This is the ninth in a series that will take you to pieces of artwork, sculptures or down right goofy things that I thought would be fun for people to take their pictures with. I find that even though going to meet and greet events that it is still hard to put faces to cacher names and thought that through these "selfies" it would be a great way to get to know others in this hobby. While a photo is not required, it would make this old rum addled barnacle encrusted octopus fart a happy fellow if you included one.
I feel like I am coming full circle with this cache. My first “Picture This” cache is of Wrex and I don’t think he would have been made if it wasn’t for the inspiration Dr. Evermor and his amazing works of art. So it is my pleasure to be able to highlight one of Dr. Evermor’s own pieces of artwork that is right here in downtown Madison, the Dream Keepers.
Dr. Evermor’s (Thomas Every) work helped define a genre that is now commonplace across America and included the use of scrap metal, parts of automobiles, old tools, musical instruments and, in the case of the “Forevertron,” a decontamination tank from NASA. His work inspired other artists, and a television show centered around his art is in the works. The future of the art park, a roadside attraction along Highway 12 that draws visitors from around the country, is uncertain.
Dr. Evermor built bus-size bugs with eyes made from round survey markers, created a 17-foot-tall spider named Arachna Artie and found a way to use gears, massive pumps, boat propellers, springs, steel tubes and old machinery.
His love of salvage grew, and for years he had his own salvage company. In the 1970s — before he took on the Evermor name — Every helped Alex Jordan collect and build at the House on the Rock near Spring Green. But in the early 1980s, Every had a falling-out with Jordan and a short time later began working on the “Forevertron.” That three-year project led to hundreds of sculptures and the creation of the park located across the highway from the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant.
Sadly we lost Dr. Evermor this spring, due to medical issues that he had been battling for the past few years. The park is still there for the time being and you can find the hours of operation online. There is one of Wisconsin's most favorited caches at his park.
Honored artist
Every was awarded in 2011 a Wisconsin Visual Art Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2016 was presented a Friend of Preservation award from the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation.
This will be an easy peasy park and grab. The sculpture is the important part and not the initials on the log. So, if you can’t retrieve the cache in stealth or because of height challenges, feel free to still claim the find. Enjoy