Folk Art in Texas Page: 55
203 p. : ill., ports. ; 29 cm.View a full description of this book.
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AT REST: FOLK ART IN TEXAS CEMETERIES
arranged can be as interesting as looking at the
decorations on the gravesites.
In addition to the arrangement of burial sites, other
landscape characteristics contribute to the ap-
pearance of these cemeteries. Some rural cemeteries
are poorly cared for, and some look no different from
the cattle pastures that surround them. Most,
however, are well cared for with grass that is kept
mowed and trees that are either native or
transplanted exotics. These areas often look like well-
kept parks. A few of the traditional "scraped"
cemeteries can also be found. While these are as well
cared for as those that need mowing every other
week, the caretakers of a scraped cemetery put their
effort into removing all grass and weeds from the
gravesites. Examples of scraped cemeteries are shown
in Figures 2 and 14. Today, few cemeteries remain
completely scraped clean of any grass. Yet it is com-
mon to find a few graves or family plots in almost
any cemetery that are kept scraped by family or
friends in this traditional form of maintenance.
Tombstones are the most obvious decorative ele-
ment within the cemetery, even more so than the
landscaping. Burials are not all marked by stones;
therefore, I will discuss "gravemarkers" from this
point on, rather than "tombstones" or "gravestones."
Gravemarkers typically provide some information
about the person buried at a site in addition to simply
marking the place of burial. This information com-
monly includes the person's name, birthdate,
deathdate, and any additional information or senti-
ment that seems appropriate. Epitaphs are frequently
religious in nature, but some will contain a note of
endearment ("my loving twin") or some information
about the deceased such as place of birth, place of
death, livelihood, cause of death, political affiliation
("He was a gentleman and a Democrat"), or anything
that seems appropriate. Some markers contain lit-
tle or no information about the deceased but are in-
teresting artifacts in themselves (Figure 3).
Gravemarkers are created out of a variety of
materials, most of which are easily shaped or
molded. Decoration of the marker depends largely
on the base material used. Designs are carved into
wood or stone, inscribed or impressed on concrete,
painted on almost any surface, or attached to wooden
or concrete markers.Figure 3. Epitaph carved on sandstone, Foster Cemetery, Walker
County, Texas.
Markers made of wood are less durable than others,
but the workability of the material allows great
creativity for both skilled and semiskilled craftsmen.
While the head and foot of a grave might be
marked by simple wooden slabs or tablets from which
any writing has long since weathered away, these
markers can be carved or painted in a variety of
designs. Wooden crosses are made in many forms;Figure 4. Painted wooden cross in Sand Prairie Cemetery,
Madison County, Texas.* 55 *
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Folk Art in Texas (Book)
This book describes popular folk art of Texas, including basket weaving, hat-making, yard art, sculptures, murals, cemetery art, quilt-making, tattoo art, and other miscellaneous folk art. The index begins on page 198.
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Abernethy, Francis Edward. Folk Art in Texas, book, 1985; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67647/m1/63/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.