Dunbar’s Willow Stained-glass Window, Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

The Story:      Inside the Woodland Mausoleum at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio, the Dunbar Room features a stained-glass window honoring renowned Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Crafted by Philadelphia’s Willet Studios, the richly colored artwork illustrates imagery from Dunbar’s poem A Death Song. A graceful willow tree overlooks a calm lake, reflecting the poem’s opening line: “Lay me beneath the willows…”   The peaceful landscape and luminous glass create a scene of quiet reflection, blending literature, memory, and nature within one of Dayton’s most historic resting places.

 

The Rest of the Story:  Among the many stained-glass windows throughout Woodland’s mausoleum, this one carries a particularly personal connection to Dayton’s cultural history.  Paul Laurence Dunbar remains one of the city’s most celebrated voices, and seeing his poetry interpreted through stained glass gives the work a lasting physical presence beyond the written page.
I photographed the window on a cold and cloudy January day, conditions that softened the exterior light and evenly illuminated the glass from behind. The gentle lighting helped preserve the subtle tones within the water, sky, and willow branches without harsh reflections.
What I appreciate most is the stillness of the composition. The willow tree, calm water, and quiet colors mirror the reflective mood of Dunbar’s poetry itself… peaceful, contemplative, and enduring within the silence of Woodland’s halls.

In addition to these stained glass windows from Woodland Cemetery, you may enjoy this stained glass window gallery that I’ve come across in my travels.

 

Sublocation:   Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

City, State:      Dayton, Ohio

Year:                2019

Price range: $75.00 through $440.00

Product Description

Stained-glass window in Woodland Mausoleum showing a willow tree beside a calm lake inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem A Death Song in Dayton Ohio

Inside the Woodland Mausoleum at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio, the Dunbar Room features a stained-glass window honoring renowned Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Crafted by Philadelphia’s Willet Studios, the richly colored artwork illustrates imagery from Dunbar’s poem A Death Song. A graceful willow tree overlooks a calm lake, reflecting the poem’s opening line: “Lay me beneath the willows…”
The peaceful landscape and luminous glass create a scene of quiet reflection, blending literature, memory, and nature within one of Dayton’s most historic resting places.
The Rest of the Story
Among the many stained-glass windows throughout Woodland’s mausoleum, this one carries a particularly personal connection to Dayton’s cultural history. Paul Laurence Dunbar remains one of the city’s most celebrated voices, and seeing his poetry interpreted through stained glass gives the work a lasting physical presence beyond the written page.
I photographed the window on a cold and cloudy January day, conditions that softened the exterior light and evenly illuminated the glass from behind. The gentle lighting helped preserve the subtle tones within the water, sky, and willow branches without harsh reflections.
What I appreciate most is the stillness of the composition. The willow tree, calm water, and quiet colors mirror the reflective mood of Dunbar’s poetry itself… peaceful, contemplative, and enduring within the silence of Woodland’s halls.

Additional Information

Weight N/A
Dimensions N/A
Size

12" x 18", 20" x 30", 30" x 45"
Media

Framed Giclee Canvas, Metal, Photo Paper

Framed Giclee Canvas Prints

My canvas prints originate from the highest quality equipment and techniques which produce an impressively vibrant and sturdy print.  Features of My Framed Giclee Canvas Prints include:
 

  • Light Weight:  Lacking the need of glass and matting, these canvas prints are light weight
  • More Print for Your Money:  Avoiding expensive glass and matting lowers costs
  • Archival:  The pigment inks are archival rated at 95 years
  • No Gallery-wrapped Hazards:  My framed giclee canvas prints avoid the hazards of traditional gallery wrapped canvas prints (print edges easily mar and the canvas tends to relax and warp).  My canvas is mounted to a solid surface so it will never warp and the outer frame protects the print’s edges.
  • Ready to Hang.  Your canvas print comes ready to hang with single wire fastened to two sturdy D-ring hangers (quality D-rings resist wire tension vice eye hooks).  We employ a plastic-coated wire which mitigates corrosion, prevents stray strands from puncturing a finger, and permits easier leveling of frame.  In paying attention to details, we also properly wire frame with some tension which ensures canvas hangs close to wall.
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall.
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark.
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Canvas Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 40 x 60 inches, shipping in sizes 30 x 45 inches and above is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days.
A front and back image of my framed giclee canvas print presentation

Metal Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Incredibly vibrant:  My prints start with a white gloss substrate which produces vivid colors and enthusiastic comments 
  • Extremely durable:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, so if handled properly the print will last over 100 years.  
  • Cleans easily:  If cleaning is required, owners can employ soft cloth.
  • Saves money:  Unlike paper prints which require protective glass, there is no need to cover the metal surface.  With no glass, there’s no longer a need for the expensive framing, matting and labor which drives up the cost for traditional paper prints.
  • Ready to hang:  We attach mounts to the back of the metal prints which provide gallery-preferred hang points, and elevates the print off the wall producing a floating effect.  
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Metal Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 30 x 45 inches shipping is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.  
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days. 
A front and back image of my metal print presentation

Photopaper Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Archival:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, where the pigments are rated at 95 years provided the print is protected from UV Rays. 
  • Flexibility:  Ordering a print on photopaper allows clients to make their own framing and matting decisions for the ultimate customization experience. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I include a certificate of authenticity with each print.  Once you frame the print, your framer can attach it to the rear of the print.
  • Final Product:  I have dedicated shipping tubes to hold the print until your framer is ready to mount and frame the print.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated shipping tubes which take an additional 3 to 5 days for shipping. 
A cardboard tube with white paper on top of it.

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