Casting Alabama’s Literary History

Cast bronze sculptures by students of Professor Craig Wedderspoon were unveiled in downtown Monroeville, Ala., in April, as part of the Literary Capital Sculpture Trail. Monroeville, the birthplace of author Harper Lee, and the home of the Alabama Writers Symposium for the past two decades, has been designated the Literary Capital of Alabama. The sculpture trail, made up of 14 cast bronze works, celebrates ten writers who have put Monroeville on the literary map, including Harper Lee, Truman Capote, journalist Cynthia Tucker, and novelist Mark Childress. Although not an official Bicentennial event, the sculpture trail and its unveiling were planned to coincide with the 200th anniversary celebrations.

Ringo Lisko’s bronze sculpture of a pen and scroll in a laurel wreath honors Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Cynthia Tucker in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Josh Dugat’s bronze sculpture of an apple honors author and educator Marva Collins in the Monroeville Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

The artists were studio art major Hunter Abdo, senior anthropology major Alysa Boyd, sophomore studio art major Zane Boyd, senior BFA major in sculpture and anthropology major Amber Daum, graduate student in creative writing and geography Josh Dugat, Jenn Gault (BFA 2018), special student Jim Harrison III, senior art history major and studio art minor Morgan Harrison, Pat Hoban (MFA 2019), senior studio art major Jonathan Lanier, senior studio art major Hannah Lincoln, BFA major in sculpture Ringo Lisko and senior studio art major Alyson Smith. For a slideshow of all the sculptures, click on this page: https://www.monroevillemainstreet.com/literary-capital-sculpture-trail/

Zane Boyd’s bronze sculpture of a composing stick commemorates early writer and newspaperman William Barrett Travis in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Pat Hoban’s bronze sculpture of a jon boat honors Mike Lewis in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Morgan Harrison’s bronze sculpture of a hat and glasses commemorates author Truman Capote in the Monroeville Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Jennifer Gault’s bronze sculpture of a telegram announcing Pulitzer Prize awards honors winners Harper Lee, Cynthia Tucker and Hank Williams Sr., in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Alyson Smith’s bronze sculpture of a cat commemorates poet and journalist Riley Kelly in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Jennifer Gault’s bronze sculpture of a gavel commemorates author Harper Lee in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Hunter Abdo’s bronze sculpture of two kites flying commemorates author Truman Capote in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Alysa Boyd’s bronze sculpture of a hat box honors author Mark Childress in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Hannah Lincoln's bronze sculpture of a mockingbird commemorates author Harper Lee in Monroeville's Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

Hannah Lincoln, “Hidden Secrets,” 2019, bronze, 42 East Claiborne St., at The Prop & Gavel, Monroeville, Ala. A depiction of a mockingbird commemorates author Harper Lee in the Literary Capital Sculpture Trail.

For more information about the UA Department of Art and Art History and its programs, visit this page on our website or contact the department at (205) 348-5967.

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