St. Petersburg School Discusses Acquisition of Statue

News Summary

St. Petersburg is contemplating the purchase of a 13-foot bronze statue titled ‘The Beacon of Hope,’ representing Harriet Tubman. City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard proposed acquiring the statue, which is currently on loan at the Woodson African American Museum. With a price tag of $250,000, discussions have become urgent as the statue is set to leave the museum soon. The city aims to balance art investments with community needs, exploring fundraising options while fostering educational outreach around Tubman’s legacy.

St. Petersburg is considering the acquisition of a bronze statue titled The Beacon of Hope, representing Harriet Tubman, as part of its expanding public art collection. The statue, which is 13-feet tall, has been displayed at the Woodson African American Museum of Florida since January 2025 and is currently on loan from the Wofford Sculpture Studio.

City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard proposed the purchase, noting that acquiring the statue would cost $250,000, which surpasses the city’s available commission budget. The statue is scheduled to leave the museum in September 2025, making timely discussions regarding its purchase critical.

The rental costs for the statue amount to $3,000 per month, prompting officials to explore various funding avenues. Gabbard referenced the successful fundraising campaign used to finance the Bending Arc sculpture at the St. Pete Pier, which cost $1.5 million and was largely funded by private donations. She believes a similar strategy could be replicable for acquiring Tubman’s statue.

Instituting plans for future development of the African American Museum is also in consideration, which may include relocating The Beacon of Hope to a new site. The city’s Arts Culture and Tourism Director, Celeste Davis, is actively participating in the discussions concerning the acquisition.

These discussions are aligned with the broader context of the city’s Cultural Action Plan of 2023, aiming to enhance the city’s public art offerings and cultural initiatives. Public reactions to the statue’s potential acquisition have been mixed, with some community members expressing valid concerns over prioritizing taxpayer needs and infrastructure over art projects. Other suggestions have included renaming local sites to better reflect historical significance and context.

The importance of the statue is further accentuated as community engagement has been fostered through educational outreach. The sculpture’s designer, Wesley Wofford, interacted with local middle and high school students in April 2025 to highlight Tubman’s legacy, connecting the statue’s artistic presence with educational opportunities and community awareness.

Amid ongoing funding discussions and community feedback related to art installations, the city faces the challenge of balancing artistic investments with pressing infrastructural needs. As city officials weigh the merits of securing The Beacon of Hope against other financial obligations, the timeline ahead is critical, requiring decisions to uphold cultural appreciation while being mindful of public sentiment.

The successful and timely acquisition of the statue could serve not only to honor Harriet Tubman’s historical significance but also to anchor ongoing community dialogues around representation and cultural pride. As the city prepares for the possibility of its acquisition, broader conversations concerning public art’s role in shaping community identity continue to unfold.

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Additional Resources

• St. Pete Catalyst: Tubman Statue Proposal
• CNN: Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman
• The Gabber: Harriet Tubman Monument
• Wikipedia: Harriet Tubman
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Harriet Tubman