Caelum Moor Brochure

A brochure from the late '80s, early '90s
Picture by Clay Mathes		Located in the center of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Arlington is home to one of the largest environmental sculptures in the Western Hemisphere -- Caelum Moor. The granite megaliths tower over a gentle rolling 5.5 acre park along Interstate 20 and Matlock Road and bring to mind images of the ancient sites in England and Scotland that have intrigued and mystified onlookers for thousands of years. Caelum Moor is formed by 22 pieces of Texas pink granite, arranged in five groups of freestanding stones weighing 540 tons and ranging in height from 15 feet to 34 feet. Also included in Caelum Moor are a 350-seat natural amphitheater, a winding lake, a fountain, and seasonal landscaping. The environmental sculpture was named Caelum after a remote constellation in the Southern skies which means the sculptor's tool, and Moor for the windswept moors of Scotland. The name Caelum Moor represents the entire work of art, but each of the five stone groupings was also given a Celtic name -- Tan Tara, De'Danann, Morna Linn, Tolmen Barrow and Sarsen Caer. Caelum Moor was commissioned by Jane Mathes Kelton, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the Kelton Mathes Development Corporation, and executed by California sculptor Norm Hines. This monumental work of art took more than two years to complete and is currently valued [no date known for this brochure] at more than $3 million. Caelum Moor is the signature and focal point of The Highlands of Arlington, a 340-acre multi-use business community.

1 -- Tolmen Barrow is a combination of ancient names for a hole stone and a sacred hill. Tolmen, the hole stone, was believed to have healing powers, and sick children were passed through it. 2 -- De'Danann, three freestanding stones forming a triangle, is the name from a divine Celtic family of children of the great goddess. 3 -- Sarsen Caer combines sarsen, those stones believed by the druids to have magical powers, and caer, which means castle. This megalith serves as a backdrop for Caelum Moor's natural amphitheater. 4 -- Tan Tara, tallest of the structures, stands 34 feet. Tan means sacred fire, and Tara was the home of the Celtic divines. Tan Tara serves as a natural echo chamber which can be heard only by the person standing between its majestic pillars. 5 -- Morna Linn embraces a fountain at the top that cascades between two pillars into a small lake. Morna is the feminine form for the word beloved, and Linn means water rushing over stones.

	The Highlands of Arlington The Highlands of Arlington, located along Interstate 20, is the largest new commercial real estate development presently under construction in Arlington [again, no date is given]. When completed, the Kelton Mathes Development Corporation's $2 billion, 340-acre business community will incorporate 7 million square feet of office, hotel and retail space, including a 230,000 square foot medical campus and 2 million square feet designated for a high tech Corporate and Research Park.
A graduate and tenured professor of art at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Norm Hines was granted the commission for Caelum Moor in 1984. For inspiration, Hines spent several weeks studying the various megalithic stone groupings in Great Britain before moving to the granite quarry in Marble Falls, Texas. There he spent the next year chiseling, hammering, and blasting the 22 pieces of granite that form Caelum Moor. After the stones were transported to Arlington via 16 flatbed trucks, Hines spent another year sculpting the 5.5 acre grounds of his environmental art. Hines has experienced a distinguished career as a sculptor and his work is currently displayed by a number of prominent collectors.
The Caelum Moor Foundation The Caelum Moor Foundation, named after the recent acquisition from the Kelton-Mathes Development Corporation, was formed to enrich artistic and cultural opportunities, to encourage the development of emerging young artists, and to promote the use of art in public places. The Foundation's board is striving to create a resource library containing works of art in public places, as well as a network of artists who are currently working on commissions in the public arena. The Foundation is also planning to host a number of cultural activities and special events at Caelum Moor throughout the coming year [again, no date available].

Follow the links to the various sections of the park.

General Park

Pictures of the whole park including areas without a major stone sculpture.

Tan Tara

Two upright stones capped by a third. This sculpture contains an echo chamber.

Sarsen Caer

Like Tan Tara, this sculpture is two major uprights capped by a third stone. This sculpture was also used to create a "backstage" area (by the pond) and an amphitheatre was created in front of the sculpture.

Tolmen Barrow

Three upright stones, the middle stone is the barrow stone, with a hole drilled all the way through it.

Morna Linn

A sarsen construction like Tan Tara and Sarsen Caer, Morna Linn is located in the pond and has a pump to create a waterfall.

Tuatha de Danaan

Again, three major stones, all upright as with Tolmen Barrow. This sculpture includes a staring pattern on each stone.

All text and photographs are copyright Robin C. MacRorie and may not be used under any circumstances without prior written permission.
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