Harriet Tubman Sculpture “Journey to Freedom”

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The Jackson County NC NAACP Branch 54AB is proud to host Harriet Tubman – “Journey to Freedom” a traveling monumental sculpture that will be on public display in Sylva, North Carolina from mid-September to mid-December 2021. The nine-foot, 2,400 lb. bronze sculpture will arrive on September 20, 2021, with the dedication ceremony to take place on Sunday, September 26, 2021, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Bridge Park, 76 Railroad Avenue, Sylva. 

Journey to Freedom
Photo Credit: Wofford Sculpture Studio, LLC

Academy and Emmy award-winning sculptor and Cashiers, NC resident Wesley Wofford is the dynamic artist behind this inspiring work of art. The monument of Harriet Tubman on her road to freedom represents a woman of strength, faith and confidence. The sculpture depicts Tubman leading a terrified, enslaved girl, broken shackles at their feet.  Wofford placed the child behind Tubman to demonstrate how she is “very protective of her, shielding her from what was coming but also guiding her,” he stated. Harriet Tubman “personifies a role model and hero, and we are proud to commemorate the resilience and contributions of strong women throughout history.” The sculpture was originally created for a private commission, but Wofford decided to share his copy of this piece with the public because of the overwhelming response to the sculpture on social media. 

Dr. Dana Murray Patterson, President, Jackson County NC Branch #54AB, emphasized the importance of this monument in North Carolina: “With North Carolina being home to more than 20 Freedom Road sites, we, along with our community partners, felt having such an inspiring representation of the remarkable story of Harriet Tubman here in Sylva would be an incredible opportunity to facilitate cultural understanding, create space for dialogue and share traditions that represent a diverse community.  We are excited to share this emotional sculpture with our friends in Jackson County and beyond.”