TEWKSBURY — Works of art from the late Mico Kaufman will live on in his hometown at the Tewksbury Public Library.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to accept a gift from The Mico H. Kaufman Revocable Trust Tuesday night. Kaufman is a world-renowned artist, known for his sculpting, who lived in Tewksbury for 60 years before dying at the age of 92.
A letter dated Dec. 3 from Elsie Howell, Kaufman’s longtime partner, to the Board of Selectmen and town manager outlined a dozen pieces of art to be donated to the town. Howell is a trustee of The Mico H. Kaufman Revocable Trust.
“I have had a number of conversations and meetings with Library Director, Diane Giarrusso, concerning this donation,” Howell’s letter states. “She has indicated that the following works would be an appropriate donation to the Tewksbury Public Library from the Mico Kaufman Collection.”
Town Manager Richard Montuori said he has worked with Howell on a number of occasions regarding what he said is a gracious donation. He recommended the board formally accept the gifts.
“I am very excited that we’re getting that art,” said Selectman Anne Marie Stronach. “My favorite Mico Kaufman piece is The Muster.”
“The Muster” is a sculpture of five firefighters and a fire hose, which is located at the South Tewksbury Fire Station. Included in this donation of art pieces is a small model of “The Muster.”
The acceptance of this donation comes after months of consideration. Kaufman’s trust initially made an offer for some pieces to be sold to the town, but Town Manager Richard Montuori said the town was not interested in making a purchase. Then the trust offered to make a donation, but it included too many pieces for the town to consider accepting.
Since Kaufman’s death in 2016, UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College and the Rolling Ridge Conference Center in North Andover, have acquired some of Kaufman’s pieces. A private sale of some of his pieces was scheduled last month at Howell’s Tewksbury home.
Howell previously told The Sun it was Kaufman’s mission to bring fine art to Tewksbury. As a trustee, she said the donation was an opportunity to preserve the history of the town while recognizing Kaufman’s contributions.
Selectman Todd Johnson requested that the Town Manager send out a formal letter of thanks to the trust for the donation.
Follow Kori Tuitt on Twitter @KoriTuitt.
![North Middlesex Regional High School recently held a school fair with real-world flair, a combined effort by students, faculty and administrators. School Superintendent Brad Morgan said that collaboration created the inaugural Credit for Life financial literacy fair for seniors. The April 10 event gave students an opportunity to learn about a subject not covered in […]](https://www.lowellsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SEN-L-NorthMiddlesex-0418-02-1.jpg?w=263 "North Middlesex Regional High School recently held a school fair with real-world flair, a combined effort by students, faculty and administrators. School Superintendent Brad Morgan said that collaboration created the inaugural Credit for Life financial literacy fair for seniors. The April 10 event gave students an opportunity to learn about a subject not covered in […]")
