The Don Knotts Memorial Garden Design has been approved by Francey Yarborough Knotts and the Knotts estate. The design includes a statue of Don Knotts that celebrates the man he really was- a talented comedic actor and entertainer. He loved to laugh and make people laugh, and that is what this garden is intended to celebrate. The sculpture will be set in a beautiful garden with a rich variety of textures and surfaces to compliment the sculpture. Landscape designer, Kerry Rapp, created an intimate space in which viewers will confront the sculpture. When entering the Garden one will encounter a wall with a series of plaques that describe Knotts' career.
On the wall above the plaques a series of hats will be cast chronologically illustrating Knotts life from a WVU freshman beanie, to Barney Fife's deputy hat, to the golf cap that was characteristic of his later years.
Upon entry into the heart of the garden a lush planting of trees and plants will obscure the sculpture from view. Instead, attention will be focused on a central raised bed where a dedication plaque will be mounted.Beyond the central bed, the sculpture of Don Knotts will be dramatically revealed. This life size sculpture will be set upon a curved stage. The stage serves as a metaphor for the stage that Knotts was always on in life.
Behind the statue will be a screen of water, falling continuously into a channel into the stage. Jets of water will produce a smooth screen serving as a symbol for a film screen which his career depended upon. The water feature provides a beautiful backdrop that will double as a projectible film screen for all to see.
The water from the waterfall will be lit at night for special effects and film will be projected onto the sprays of water for an impressive combination of sculpture and imagery. (Click on the design below for an example of the special effects.)
The sculpture depicts Mr. Knotts in a seated position holding a script and a badge. The sculpture concept is a snapshot in time- depicting a pivotal moment in Don Knotts career. He is saying goodbye to The Andy Griffith Show and looking forward to a career in film.
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken was the first major motion picture that Knotts worked on and had a major role in after his role on The Andy Griffith Show.
The script in his left hand is from The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, symbolizing his future in film. In his right hand, Knotts cradles Barney Fife's badge from The Andy Griffith Show. The badge emphasizes his past and the creation of his most famous character. Francey Yarborough Knotts imparted that the most important thing to Don was laughter- his own and the love of making others laugh, too.
The overall design catches Don in the act-laughing it up- a snap shot in time.
The life-size sculpture will be cast in bronze and finished in a classic deep brown tone with highlights buffed out to a bright bronze, emphasizing the details of the piece. Brought to exactly life size, the sculpture will enable the viewer to interact with Mr. Knotts, either by sitting down on the stage with him to have their picture taken, reading a bit of the script, or just having the opportunity to think about what Don Knotts means to them.
