Lawrence County Lighting the trail to Freedom A Collaborative Recycled Sculpture in honor of the contributions of Lawrence Countians from our history to the righteous endeavor that is the Underground Railroad. By The Symmes Valley Art Club Officers Evan McCallister, Aaliyah Qualls, Isabelle Pancake & Aubree Callicoat
Brainstorming & Research After much discussion on subjects for our sculpture, relating to Lawrence County history such as the Iron Furnaces, Covered Bridges, and The Waterloo Wonders, it was decided that the efforts of past residents of Lawrence County to the work of the Underground Railroad would be our greatest moment in history. After deciding what the subject of our sculpture would be, the team began researching, using internet sources, Lawrence County’s contribution to the Underground Railroad. During our research, we found a website called Clio. It discussed how Symmes Creek was used as a path, along with at least three other trails in the county, for slaves to follow to escape to safety. The Symmes Creek Trail, begins where Symmes Creek meets the Ohio River. Slaves who were trying to escape would cross over from Huntington, what was then Western Virginia, and follow the path of the creek all of the way to Jackson, Ohio. We decided to highlight this trail in the sculpture, because this creek passes through many of our propertys in the Symmes Valley School District.
Symbolism There is a plethora of symbolism that is represented in our sculpture. The chains at the base of the sculpture, made of newspaper, climb the post, representing the chains of bondage that those who were in the the suffering of slavery were trying to escape. The three doves, made of styrofoam plates, represent those who have broken the chains of slavery and their spirits being set free. The old sign hanging from the post, made of cardboard, shows the path that was taken for the Symmes Creek Trail, as well as the title of our sculpture. The highlight of the sculpture is the lantern, made of newspaper and plastic two liter bottles, represents the lanterns that were used to light the way to freedom in the Underground Railroad. The vines and flowers, made from plastic bottles, that are intertwined with the chains, represent the promise of new hope and life arising out of the darkness of slavery.
Collaborative Sculpture created by the SVHS Art Club Officers: Evan McCallister, Aaliyah Qualls, Isabelle Pancake, & Aubree Callicoat
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