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Traveling sculpture that honors Harriet Tubman to call Sylva home this fall, winter


A traveling sculpture that honors and depicts Harriet Tubman, as created by Academy and Emmy Award-winning sculptor Wesley Wofford, will take up temporary residence this fall in Sylva, from Sept. 20 to Dec. 20, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Wofford Sculpture Studio, LLC){p}{/p}
A traveling sculpture that honors and depicts Harriet Tubman, as created by Academy and Emmy Award-winning sculptor Wesley Wofford, will take up temporary residence this fall in Sylva, from Sept. 20 to Dec. 20, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Wofford Sculpture Studio, LLC)

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SYLVA, N.C. (WLOS) — A traveling sculpture that honors and depicts Harriet Tubman, as created by an Academy and Emmy Award-winning sculptor, will take up temporary residence this fall in Sylva.

Bridge Park in downtown Sylva will be the temporary home for "Harriet Tubman - Journey to Freedom" from Sept. 20 to Dec. 20, 2021. The sculpture will arrive by flatbed truck Monday morning.

Academy and Emmy Award-winning sculptor Wesley Wofford, of Cashiers, N.C., designed the sculpture to honor Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery in Maryland and led Black enslaved people on their journeys to freedom in North Carolina and elsewhere.

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In the powerful sculpture, a determined Tubman leans against the wind to pull a frightened girl by the hand in her escape from slavery to freedom.

A free public event held by the Jackson County NAACP Branch will be held Sunday, Sept. 26 in Bridge Park from 2-4 p.m., to celebrate the branch's 2021 theme, "Journey to Freedom - Together." Bridge Park is located at 76 Railroad Avenue.

The event will feature a keynote by University of Alabama scholar Dr. Vincent Willis, music from musical trio Blue Jazz, dramatic performances, readings and more.

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Jackson County NC NAACP President Dr. Dana Murray Patterson said the sculpture and public celebration provide an opportunity to “facilitate cultural understanding, create space for dialogue, and share traditions that represent a diverse community.”

The nationally touring sculpture is coming to Sylva with the support of the Town of Sylva, the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, Calliope Stage, Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center, Dogwood Health Trust, Jackson County Arts Council, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Friends of the Library, Jackson County NC NAACP Branch 54AB, Main Street Sylva Association, Reconcile Sylva, Western Carolina University’s Bardo Arts Center, Mountain Heritage Center and Department of Intercultural Affairs.

For more information, contact the Jackson County NC NAACP Branch by emailing jcnaacp54ab@gmail.com or calling 828.331.1803, or visit the website HERE.

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