Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the legacies of Henry David Thoreau and Ellen Garrison, this installation by Massachusetts-based artist Liz Helfer uses reflective acrylic silhouettes on two benches to connect viewers with Concord’s history and enduring ideals of justice and freedom.
Originally commissioned as a captivating temporary art installation by the Town of Concord, and made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), and the Massachusetts Cultural Council this project is part of NEFA’s state-wide “Making It Public” program, which supports diverse, inclusive, and equitable public artmaking across Massachusetts.
The artwork was installed in Monument Square in mid-September 2024 and remained on display through the 250th celebrations. It will be on view at Thoreau Farm until 2028.
Learn more about this Town of Concord commission at: https://concordma.gov/3747/Freedoms-Silhouette and https://concordbridge.org/index.php/2024/10/09/photos-freedoms-silhouette/
Learn more about artist Liz Helfer: https://www.elizabethhelfer.com/
You can visit “Freedom’s Silhouette” on the grounds of Thoreau Farm, the birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, any day, from dawn until dusk. Learn more about visiting Thoreau Farm: https://thoreaufarm.org/visit/