Project Overview
This memorial, located at 820 Pole Line Road, serves as a space for reflection, remembrance, and healing. 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.
Memorial Artist Team
In April 2024, the COVID-19 memorial subcommittee selected a team of artists to help envision and execute the portals, obelisks, and reflection wall.
Lead Artist – Wes Horn
Mosaic Team – Wes Horn, Donna Lemongello, Jennifer Nachmanoff
Mural Team – Brenda Cibrian, Will Durkee, Gregory Shilling
Lead artist, Wes Horn has prepared a project narrative which can be viewed here.
Reflecting Wall – Ro Mottsmith
Reflecting Wall artist, Ro Mottsmith has prepared a project narrative which can be viewed here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Davis Cemetery District is accepting donations to help close the gap in funding this project. You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to the Davis Cemetery District, specifying the COVID-19 memorial fund.
Mail checks to:
Davis Cemetery District
820 Pole Line Road
Davis, CA 95618
If you would like to donate using a Visa or Mastercard, please stop by the main office or call (530) 756-7807.
COVID-19 Memorialization’s Options
Bench Memorialization – A memorial plaque will be affixed to an existing bench of your choice at the reflecting wall. $2,000.00 Bench memorialization’s are donations to the cemetery and tax deductible.
Brick Engraving – A brick on the reflection patio to be engraved with your personalization. $500.00
The district is looking for ways to memorialize members of our district who passed from COVID-19. If you have a loved one who died of or with COVID-19 and who lived in Davis, West Sacramento, or Clarksburg, please contact Jessica Smithers at jess@daviscemetery.org
Educational PDF
The district partnered with Sacramento based 2D animator Amber Rankin to develop a COVID-19 informational pdf geared towards elementary & middle school aged children.
Historical Project Information
The district is pleased to announce site preparation is complete and construction has begun on the COVID-19 memorial. Below is the project completion time which is subject to change based on weather and product availability.
Artist Team
The artist team has been selected and will be led by local artist, Wesley Horn. Wesley is a second-generation sculptor, ceramicist, mosaicist, and builder, specializing in large-scale public art and functional installations. More information about Wes can be found here. Wes will be joined by Brenda Cibrian, Jennifer Nachmanoff, and Donna Lemongello. The memorial subcommittee and art team intends to involve the community in this build and will post additional details as the project evolves.
Initial mosaic archway renderings below
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Community Feedback:
Feedback is extremely important to the district as we move forward in our planning and design process. Please take a moment to complete our short feedback survey which can be found here.
Call for Community Input Survey Linked Here
Marketing and Sponsorship: We are currently fundraising for the art installation piece of this project. More information regarding sponsorship levels and how to donate can be found on the one-pager linked below.
| ART CHAMPION
$2,500+ |
ART PARTNER$1,000 – $2,499 | ART SPONSOR
$50 – $999 |
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Art sponsorship one pager linked here.
Art Sponsors:
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| William and Nancy Roe | The Souza Family | The Kellison Family |
| The Bowen Family |  |
Volunteer Opportunities: As this project progresses, various volunteer opportunities will arise. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Jess Smithers at jess@daviscemetery.org
A huge thank you to our sponsors and Will Glaeser who created the initial memorial rendering!
PDF rendering found here.
Community Champions
- International Association of Firefighters L3493
- Yolo County Board of Supervisors
- City of Davis
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Memorial Partners
- Nugget Markets
2022 Marketing / Sponsorship / Survey Information Below
Marketing and Sponsorship
| COMMUNITY CHAMPION
$2,500+ |
MEMORIAL PARTNER$1,000 – $2,499 | INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR
$50 – $999 |
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MEMORIAL ONE-PAGER AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Community Feedback:
Feedback is extremely important to the district as we move forward in our planning and design process. Please take a moment to complete our short feedback survey which can be found here or by scanning the QR below.