Wildwood Cemetery is taking a leadership position by becoming one the first of a growing number of cemeteries in the US to adopt public art programming. The importance of public space was emphasized by the founders of Wildwood more than a century ago. We believe that offering vibrant public programming, including permanent artworks, is a way to enhance the cemetery as a public amenity.
In 1887 Fredrick Law Olmsted advised Austin Dickinson (Emily's brother), and the others involved in setting up the cemetery, that the cemetery should be a robust public space with native plantings, forested conservation land, and collective monuments. Wildwood has lived up to this commitment to the public in many ways. Now, as we start our public art program, we aim to enhance the cemetery’s role as an innovative and welcoming part of the American commemorative landscape.
Wildwood has always encouraged the public to enjoy walking through our grounds. We also seek to engage the community in many ways: through regularly holding public events, providing resources for school tours and self-guided tours, collaborating with biologists and landscape architects at UMASS, and working with historians to discover more of the history of Amherst.
Through our public art program, we will provide new amenities for the public and expand our understanding of the diverse contributions of those who came before us. The Wildwood Public Art Project honors the concept of collective memory. Wildwood sets an example of how cemeteries can reconceptualize the idea of a cemetery portraying a celebration of life and the stories of our area’s diversity and unheralded ancestors.
In 1887 Fredrick Law Olmsted advised Austin Dickinson (Emily's brother), and the others involved in setting up the cemetery, that the cemetery should be a robust public space with native plantings, forested conservation land, and collective monuments. Wildwood has lived up to this commitment to the public in many ways. Now, as we start our public art program, we aim to enhance the cemetery’s role as an innovative and welcoming part of the American commemorative landscape.
Wildwood has always encouraged the public to enjoy walking through our grounds. We also seek to engage the community in many ways: through regularly holding public events, providing resources for school tours and self-guided tours, collaborating with biologists and landscape architects at UMASS, and working with historians to discover more of the history of Amherst.
Through our public art program, we will provide new amenities for the public and expand our understanding of the diverse contributions of those who came before us. The Wildwood Public Art Project honors the concept of collective memory. Wildwood sets an example of how cemeteries can reconceptualize the idea of a cemetery portraying a celebration of life and the stories of our area’s diversity and unheralded ancestors.
Touch
Sculpted by Mathew Mitchell
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The inaugural sculpture for the Wildwood public art program is called Touch. It represents two hands holding each other in the way that people hold hands when walking together or when clasping hands to feel support and connectedness. The hands are carved from a boulder standing five feet tall. The natural contours of the boulder are part of the design of the sculpture. The boulder is a glacial erratic. It was left in the area when the glaciers retreated. It is something that is at once ancient, local, and migratory. |
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After examining hundreds of glacial erratics Mitchell selected this particular boulder because of its distinctive deep, rich color when polished. It also has many small pockets of amethyst. In preparation for carving Mitchell created many studies of hands in clay and in stone. Yet the final sculpture is unique. It is a response to the shape and character of the specific boulder. As a large-scale stone sculpture this artwork will endure for future generations. Is a visual manifestation of the welcoming and thoughtful spirit that we hope to bring to our community.
About the Artist
Matt Mitchell lived in Amherst with his wife and their child for many years and enjoyed walking in Wildwood Cemetery in all seasons. The sculpture for Wildwood Cemetery continues his exploration of the themes of touch and of direct carving of found stones. Mitchell earned a BFA in sculpture at Pratt Institute. He is the winner of a 2010 Western New England Public Radio Arts and Humanities Award and his work has been shown in museums around the country, including at: The National Portrait Gallery, Coral Springs Museum of Art, Pensacola Museum of Art, Stauth Museum, and Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences. mattmitchellart.com
About the Fundraiser
Stone sculpture on this scale is a big endeavor! So far we have had to direct most funds raised to the logistics of obtaining the boulder and delivering and installing the sculpture. But now we are happy to say that your donation will go to the artist. Let's show our appreciation for Matt's labor and vision through generous giving.
To donate please go to the Friends of Wildwood Cemetery's Go Fund Me here: https://gofund.me/c08006c2
About the Artist
Matt Mitchell lived in Amherst with his wife and their child for many years and enjoyed walking in Wildwood Cemetery in all seasons. The sculpture for Wildwood Cemetery continues his exploration of the themes of touch and of direct carving of found stones. Mitchell earned a BFA in sculpture at Pratt Institute. He is the winner of a 2010 Western New England Public Radio Arts and Humanities Award and his work has been shown in museums around the country, including at: The National Portrait Gallery, Coral Springs Museum of Art, Pensacola Museum of Art, Stauth Museum, and Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences. mattmitchellart.com
About the Fundraiser
Stone sculpture on this scale is a big endeavor! So far we have had to direct most funds raised to the logistics of obtaining the boulder and delivering and installing the sculpture. But now we are happy to say that your donation will go to the artist. Let's show our appreciation for Matt's labor and vision through generous giving.
To donate please go to the Friends of Wildwood Cemetery's Go Fund Me here: https://gofund.me/c08006c2