The Davis Cemetery District will dedicate a permanent COVID-19 Memorial, a project three years in the making.

This memorial, located at 820 Pole Line Road, will serve as a space for reflection, remembrance, and healing.

“Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into this memorial, each one viewed as a sacred act of love,” Stephen Souza, Vice Chair of the Davis Cemetery District and memorial construction lead, said in a press release. “Our world changed in profound ways, and everyone was impacted, especially those who lost loved ones. The cemetery recognizes the importance of providing a space for people to grieve, reflect, and heal. We are honored to offer this symbol of love and care to our community, our nation, and the world.”

The memorial features a walking path with four portals—Home, Community, Loss, and Hope—leading to a reflection area where visitors can sit and contemplate the impact of the pandemic

As visitors exit the memorial, they will encounter images highlighting strength and resiliency, focusing on looking forward while remembering the past.

Even though the memorial is in Davis, California, and many of its images reflect the Sacramento Region, it is intended to be a shared space of caring for people across the world.

The memorial honors those who lost their lives and considers first responders, essential workers, small businesses, caregivers, families, and friends, especially those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Closer to home, it acknowledges the local community’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity.

Dedication Details

When:
Sunday, September 22, 2024
11:00 A.M. (Guests are invited to arrive at 10:30 A.M. for a card making project)

Where:
Davis Cemetery District
820 Pole Line Road, Davis, CA

The dedication will be led by Davis Cemetery District Vice Chair and memorial construction lead, Stephen Souza.

It will feature remarks by Yolo County Supervisors Jim Provenza and Lucas Frerichs, City of Davis Mayor Joshua Chapman, Davis Firefighters Local 3494 President Matt Fix, and Lead Artist Wesley Horn.

Artists Ro Mottsmith, Brenda Cibrian, Donna Lemongello, and Jennifer Nachmanoff who contributed to the memorial, will be present as visitors walk through the memorial to discuss their inspiration and creative process with the community.

Janice Labadie and the Davis Threshold Singers will perform musical selections.

Memorial Details:

• Features: walking path, art installations, seating/reflection space, informational signage, and privacy landscaping.
• Portals: four artistically designed portals—Home, Community, Loss, and Hope—each representing different aspects of the pandemic experience.
• Reflection Area: dedicated space at the end of the path for visitors to sit and reflect on the memorial’s meaning.
• Signage: informational signage will be placed along the path at a later date, emphasizing the community’s strength, resilience, and forward-looking spirit.
• Artists: The memorial was designed by local artists led by Wesley Horn, a second-generation sculptor, ceramicist, mosaicist, and builder, specializing in large-scale public art and functional installations. The reflection wall was created by Ro Mottsmith, a Davis-based artist who works in both ceramics and paper.
• Community Involvement: The memorial subcommittee and art team involved the community throughout the project, with volunteer mosaic work funded by sponsorships.

Cardmaking Project: Guests are invited to participate in a cardmaking project, where they can write a message to an unknown individual impacted by the pandemic. Whether it is a thank you note to a healthcare worker, a message of sympathy to someone who lost a loved one, or a word of encouragement to a student who faced challenges with remote learning—the recipient is not necessarily a specific person but a symbolic representation of those affected. These cards will be displayed in the Cemetery Office throughout the month of October as part of its Gallery 1855, reflecting the collective experiences and emotions of our community.

Video: For construction photos, check out a short video here.

Sponsors:
Champions: Yolo County, The City of Davis, Davis Cemetery District, Davis Firefighters Local 3494
Art Sponsors: Davis Odd Fellows and Davis Rebekah Lodge, Nugget Markets, Swim America, Bowen Family, Kellison Family, William and Nancy Roe, Souza Family