R.J. Kern is one of Lakewood’s Artists in Residence
BY KAY SCHROVEN
A haven in the heart of the city
You’ve probably noticed it- that expansive 250 acres of green behind the large iron gates along 36th St. near Hennepin Ave. (Uptown.) But have you explored it? There is much to explore, including events and programs beyond the traditional burial and cremation services. Maybe you’d like to take a yoga class, attend a gallery show or the annual lighting of the lanterns in memory of loved ones?
Lakewood is known as a “garden cemetery” or what was once called a “rural cemetery” by the founding fathers. There are upward of one hundred such cemeteries in the U.S. Lakewood, founded in 1871, was the first garden cemetery in Minnesota, and remains the only garden cemetery in the state today.
Lakewood is beautiful, and for many a sacred place of healing. On a walking tour you will see sculpture and monuments in the Classical, Egyptian and Medieval revival style as well as natural, rugged images of trees and rocks. It is home to one of the largest green houses in MN, producing and planting 95,000 bulbs and flowers each season. An expanse of green lawn dotted with Lakewood’s Living Memory Trees, a grove of Japanese Lilacs, greets you as you enter. Everyone is invited to decorate and tie a free ribbon to the trees in memory of a loved one.
There are four community structures; a modern Welcome Center, a Garden Mausoleum, a Memorial Community Mausoleum and an extraordinary chapel. This Memorial Chapel is the centerpiece of the cemetery and a priceless architectural treasure—one of the most perfect examples of Byzantine mosaic art in the United States. Designed by prominent Minneapolis architect Harry Wild Jones and modeled after the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Notable individuals interred at Lake wood include Hubert Humphrey (Vice-President and U.S. Senator) and Paul Wellstone (U.S. Senator). Lena Olive Smith, the first Black woman lawyer in MN and a prominent civil rights leader, is memorialized at Lakewood, along with Cecil Newman, the founder of the influential black newspaper, Minneapolis Spokesman. As a non-profit, non sectarian organization everyone is welcome, not just those who have purchased end of life services. Amanda Luke, Community Engagement Manager and her assistant,Teagan Londo are responsible for creating outreach to clients and the community. They oversee 75 tours (including free walking tours) and events annually. Current offerings include yoga classes, date-night, walking tours (including tree and bird tours) a concert series in the chapel and a newly created Artist in Residence Program. Most events are free.
The Artist in Residence program, sponsored by the Lakewood Heritage Foundation, engages local artists to create and share new original artwork. The resident artists create art drawn from their own experiences of the cemetery, using their creative practices to bring new perspectives on Lakewood and engage visitors.
There were 75 applications (no fee required to enter) for the Artist in Residence program. A small jury of Lakewood staff and board selected four artists whose work is in line with Lakewood’s mission and focus on nature and remembrance; R.J. Kern, Diana Eicher, Andrew Grum Carr and Sarah M. Greer.
To learn more about Lakewood’s Artists in Residence, visit https://www.lakewoodcemetery.org/artist-in-residence/
Lakewood Cemetery
3600 Hennepin Ave. S.
Mpls 55408
612-822-2171
www.lakewoodcemetery.org
