Midsummer Memory Mandalas

Join us for a weekend of art, nature, and reflection

Join Lakewood as we welcome back internationally renowned earth artist Day Schildkret of  Morning Altars  for our fourth annual Midsummer Memory Mandalas community celebration and artist workshops on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17! 

Explore the beauty that can be found through grief and loss as Day uses foraged natural materials like rocks, seeds, and flowers gathered from Lakewood’s sacred grounds to create a brilliant and bright one-of-a-kind artwork. Through the very impermanence of these natural materials, this earth-art beautifully mimics the impermanence of life as it slowly returns to the grounds from which it was sourced. This healing process allows us to reflect on life, loss, and the beauty that can be found throughout this journey.

Experience this beautiful practice in two different ways

• Join us on Saturday, July 16 from 4-8pm to watch the artist put the finishing touch on a one-of-a-kind mandala, followed by a brief artist talk
• Join us on Sunday, July 17 to create your own mandala in a private workshop with the artist. Two workshops are available starting at 9am and 1:30pm (Click here for tickets and information)

On both Saturday and Sunday, Day will share his 7-step Morning Altars practice of creating impermanent earth altars made from nature, while exploring the importance of ritual in honoring life’s transitions.

Saturday, July 16 | 4 – 8pm

Community Celebration and Artist Talk

Located near the front entrance | Free and open to the public
Talk will start at approximately 5:00pm

Meet the artist, listen to his story and watch the giant memory mandala take it’s final shape.

Lakewood’s 250 acres are filled with memorial markers, structures and sculptures built to pass the test of time. On Saturday, July 16, we will welcome a very different kind of creation. Artist Day Schildkret will use natural materials he has gathered from the cemetery and its surroundings over the course of several days to create a large-scale tribute to love and loss, using a hands-on practice that combines mindfulness, creative expression and connection with nature.

You are invited to come and watch the creation take shape and talk to the artist as he works.

Chairs will be available on a first-come, first serve basis. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs, blankets, or mats to sit on during the talk.

Book Signing

Day will be available for a free book signing following the event on Saturday, July 16th. You are welcome to purchase a copy of one (or both) of his books onsite to have signed, or bring your own copy from home.

Mini-Mandalas

Before and after the talk, wander the event site for several community-driven mini-mandalas. You will see small canvases set up around the grounds with flowers, seeds, rocks, and more – waiting for you to contribute your own artistic skills to the canvas, and help us create a beautiful community artwork. Create a border, fill in some color, or add new elements. We’re excited to see what you create together!

Coffee Cart MPLS

We’re excited to welcome back Coffee Cart MPLS to this event. Bringing the coffee culture of the twin cities right to your special event, each drink they serve is handcrafted with beans from award winning local roasters with careful attention to every detail!

Meet the Artist: Day Schildkret

Day Schildkret is an award-winning author, artist, ritualist, teacher and is internationally known for Morning Altars, which Buzz Feed calls, “a celebration of nature and life.” Working for over a decade with individuals, communities and organizations, Day is helping to heal the culture through a meaningful and creative response to change. Day is the author of Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration and Change (Simon Element/Simon & Schuster) publishing in 2022 as well as, Morning Altars: A 7-Step Practice to Nourish Your Spirit through Nature, Art and Ritual (The Countryman Press/W.W. Norton). More about Day at morningaltars.com and dayschildkret.com

Books Available

Pickup your copy of Day Schildkret’s books Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration and Change (Simon Element/Simon & Schuster) and Morning Altars: A 7-Step Practice to Nourish Your Spirit through Nature, Art and Ritual (The Countryman Press) at either of these events.

For more information on these books, visit Day’s website: https://www.dayschildkret.com/books

“Nature, art and ritual are three ways that cultures around the world have been transforming grief into beauty for thousands of years. Separately, these three things can open our hearts, bring us back to our center, and connect us back into what’s meaningful. Together, they become a resource and skill so we can feel human again.”

— Day Schildkret, Morning Altars

Parking and Transportation

Driving

Parking is available on any of the roads inside Lakewood’s gates unless otherwise noted with a no parking sign. Handicap parking will be available near event. Lakewood does not have an onsite parking lot – it is street parking only. This means you may have to park a short distance away and walk. We strongly encourage carpooling and taking public transportation.

Bussing 

There is a bus that stops right outside of Lakewood’s gates.

Biking

A small bike rack is available just inside of Lakewood’s gates. Please do not lock bikes to any trees or signs. A Nice Ride station available on 34th/Hennepin, and 36th/Bryant. Please do not leave shared bikes or scooters in Lakewood’s gates overnight.

Questions?

Call the Lakewood events line at 612-540-5165 or email to events@lakewoodcemetery.org