Ceramic Mural by Helen Merritt

"Merritt Prairie"

Ceramic Mural by UUFD Member Helen Merritt (1920-2009)

On Display in the UUFD Front Lobby
 

 UUFD is grateful to Alfred and Elinor Stark, who donated this piece to our congregation. Alfred and Elinor are DeKalb residents who bought this from Helen Merritt when she first made it, and they sought out UUFD members to make this donation because they know how much Helen and her art have meant to us. Thank you, also, to Wayne Albrecht and Carey Boehmer for hanging this beautiful (and heavy!) work of art!

This piece is created in a unique version of Prairie Style decorative art developed by Helen. It represents a scene from the 40 acres of prairie land off of Keslinger Road which she and her husband, Jim Merritt, had purchased and subsequently donated to DeKalb County, after which it was named "Merritt Pairie."  The area is now enjoyed as a public place for walking and birding. Over the years, UUFD members have planted several additional trees on the property in honor of the Merritts..

Additional ceramic sculptures and wall hangings by Helen can seen in other public buildings in DeKalb including DeKalb Public Library and Kishwaukee Community Hospital.

 

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