In a section of Taft Broome Park, an 8.5-foot-tall sculpture has been installed. The City of Hickory Public Art Commission (PAC) will recognize the newest addition to Hickory's public art collection, a sculpture titled "FREEDOM: An Homage to Harriet Tubman," during a dedication ceremony scheduled for August 13. According to a recent announcement, community members are invited to the unveiling at 5:30 p.m. near the Ridgeview Recreation Center.
Honoring a significant figure in American history, the monument pays tribute to Harriet Tubman—the African American abolitionist and political activist renowned for leading enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Having overcome immense challenges, Tubman’s life is reflected in the inscription on the commemorative sculpture. The PAC’s goal is to express Tubman’s enduring spirit through contemporary art.
North Carolina's Vandorn Hinnant, a multidisciplinary artist, sculpted the polychromed aluminum tribute. Wes Christopher, chair of the PAC, stated, "This dedication to Harriet Tubman is a tribute to her relentless spirit, which is embodied in nearly all Americans, that being the relentless pursuit of personal freedom and dignity." Plans are in progress to illuminate the sculpture, with the intention of highlighting Tubman's words incorporated within the piece, in a statement obtained by the City of Hickory.
Regarding Tubman's legacy, Hinnant adopted a personal approach when creating one of the sculpture’s text panels, featuring the words, "I, Harriet Tubman STAND for the FREEing of my enslaved People," presented as if spoken by Tubman herself. In the city's release, Hinnant explained, "These words are composed as if the person I am paying homage to spoke them."
As part of the Public Art Commission’s initiatives, Hickory’s Public Art Collection features a variety of works that represent the community’s historical and cultural values. With more than 100 pieces—including murals, sculptures, and benches—the collection continues to grow. Additional details about the city’s dedication to public art are available on its official website.
