Carve It in Stone: A Virtual Tour with Monument Sculptor Karin Sprague

For centuries, cemetery monuments were hand-carved by artisans—a practice that has vanished almost entirely in today’s world. Though not entirely! Artist Karin Sprague keeps this age-old tradition alive, designing one-of-a-kind, hand-carved cemetery monuments, many of which are at Green-Wood.

Join Karin and sculptor Tracy Mahaffey, who have worked together for 20 years, for a virtual tour of the spectacular memorials they have created, with mallet and chisel, that grace Green-Wood’s grounds. Learn about the design and execution of some of their wonderfully unique work—v-cut and raised letters, carved symbols and adorning sculptures, and the stories that these works of art tell about the dearly departed and those who survive them. Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman, whose gravestone is a Sprague-Mahaffey work, will lead the conversation. This virtual tour will include a visit to Karin’s workshop and a demonstration of her stone carving.

Free, RSVP recommended. This conversation is part of our new series of virtual programs about the history of Green-Wood and its permanent residents, Zooming in on History.

How to participate: On the day of the program, participants will receive a Zoom link and access code.











When: Wed., May. 13, 2020 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th St., Brooklyn
718-210-3080
Price: Free
Buy tickets/get more info now
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For centuries, cemetery monuments were hand-carved by artisans—a practice that has vanished almost entirely in today’s world. Though not entirely! Artist Karin Sprague keeps this age-old tradition alive, designing one-of-a-kind, hand-carved cemetery monuments, many of which are at Green-Wood.

Join Karin and sculptor Tracy Mahaffey, who have worked together for 20 years, for a virtual tour of the spectacular memorials they have created, with mallet and chisel, that grace Green-Wood’s grounds. Learn about the design and execution of some of their wonderfully unique work—v-cut and raised letters, carved symbols and adorning sculptures, and the stories that these works of art tell about the dearly departed and those who survive them. Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman, whose gravestone is a Sprague-Mahaffey work, will lead the conversation. This virtual tour will include a visit to Karin’s workshop and a demonstration of her stone carving.

Free, RSVP recommended. This conversation is part of our new series of virtual programs about the history of Green-Wood and its permanent residents, Zooming in on History.

How to participate: On the day of the program, participants will receive a Zoom link and access code.

Buy tickets/get more info now