THE COAL WOMAN
Frederiksted Pier, St Croix, USVI
Susan Luery has created “The Coal Woman,” a sculpture honoring the women that served the ports throughout the Caribbean by supplying coal to the ships until 1892, when their stand for women’s rights changed history. The sculpture features a bronze, traditionally rendered female dockworker carrying a coal basket on her head while taking a step up a gangplank. Standing tall on the pier and facing the ships that arrive in port, the sculpture will be framed by the backdrop of the charming, traditional Caribbean architecture of Frederiksted, providing a dramatic vision for this major port of entry.
Susan developed her ideas for a monumental bronze sculpture for the Frederiksted pier while in residence at CMCArts, where she found inspiration in the art and cultural history of St. Croix.
Ms. Luery has created other high visibility sculptures such as the “Babe Ruth Monument,” one of the most frequently photographed sculptures at the entrance to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. She is noted for her figurative large scale works, which can be found in public spaces, museums, and private collections across the United States and internationally.
On May 7, 2016 a fundraising party was held at the Caribbean Museum to help raise money and support for this very important project. If you would like more information or want to contribute to the on-going fundraising efforts, please click the link below to visit the official project website.