By Mary Novotny
UnityPoint Health-Meriter

The vision, talent and sheer physical strength needed to turn a 2,000-pound block of Indiana limestone into a tender moment between a mother and child is a difficult feat. Northside resident and local artist, Mick Evans, has been creating sculptures and paintings for family and friends for many years but recently was inspired to create a piece for others to enjoy.

In September 2015 Mick and his wife, Sue, attended a UnityPoint Health-Meriter Foundation fundraising event for women’s health initiatives at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Following that event, Mick felt compelled to give back and decided his art was the best way to do that. Many of the sculptures he had previously completed featured mothers holding and caring for their infants, and it seemed like the perfect fit for his work.

Mick prefers to work with hammers, chisels, rasps and files to get the look he envisions — the old school stone carving way, without power tools.

“The fundamental elements of my style and technique were developed through an apprenticeship with a German family as a tool and die maker. As I grew from an apprentice to a journeyman, I learned to integrate my mind with my hands to create something of value out of simple raw materials,” Mick shared.

From September 2015 to May 2016, Mick hammered, chiseled, sanded and polished every inch of his mother and child sculpture. The process included 300 hours of meticulous work and shaved off 800 pounds of limestone, by hand. The final piece weighs roughly 1,200 pounds, stands over 4 feet tall, and is polished to create a protective barrier that protects the stone against aging and weathering in the outdoor environment.

Moving the sculpture from Mick’s studio (aka Mick’s garage) to Meriter Hospital took intense planning, heavy equipment and some extra assistance. On a cold, rainy April day, tensions were high as a moving team from construction firm Findorff & Son Inc. transported the 1,200-pound sculpture through downtown Madison during morning rush hour, moved her up South Brooks Street with a forklift, and wheeled her on a pallet to the selected spot in the Perinatal Garden.

A dedication ceremony was held May 6, right before Mother’s Day. The sculpture, entitled “Comfort,” now stands as a centerpiece in the garden and offers a tranquil and calming presence for patients, families and visitors. Mick visits “Comfort” every few weeks to sand away any blemishes and imperfections.

The UnityPoint Health-Meriter Center for Perinatal Care Garden is open to the public weekdays from 8 am‒4:30 pm.