The Committee to Commemorate John Wilson is pleased to announce that, with the help of the
greater Brookline community and John’s many admirers, it has raised the $100,000 necessary
to purchase and install his inspirational bronze sculpture, Martin Luther King, Jr., in the lobby of Brookline Town Hall. Wilson (1922-2015) is a nationally celebrated artist who lived in Brookline for 50 years. His work is featured in numerous museums and graces public spaces around the country, including the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, and admired for its exceptional craftsmanship, emotional resonance, and confrontation of injustice.
“We are grateful to the nearly 350 individuals, families, organizations, and businesses whose
contributions enabled us to attain our goal,” said Rob Daves, who, along with Brookline sculptor Murray Dewart, led the effort. “We were also supported by the artist’s family and their representative, Martha Richardson, of Martha Richardson Fine Art Boston, who shared Wilson’s story, and by the Brookline Community Foundation, which encouraged the community and acted as our fiscal agent. We also want to thank the Brookline Select Board, which has agreed to accept this gift on the behalf of the Town and to ensure and maintain the sculpture.”
Members of the Committee worked for more than a year to raise money and build awareness
of Wilson’s art and life. Earlier this year, they welcomed the community to St. Paul’s Church for “Activate the Dream: Celebrating Brookline’s John Wilson,” an inspirational event that paid tribute to the artist through stories and music.
Plans are underway for the dedication of the sculpture, scheduled for Sunday afternoon,
January 27th, 2019, at Brookline Town Hall (in case of a declared snow emergency, the event will
be postponed to February 10). The community will be invited to further celebrate this beloved
Brookline artist who continues to inspire us.
Additional information can be found at www.johnwilsonartist.org.
