Creator Of John Hope Franklin Park Sculpture Explains Meaning Behind His Work

The 12th annual John Hope Franklin National Symposium kicked off today with a tour of John Hope Franklin Park. The tour was led by the creator of the sculpture sitting in the middle of the park.

Edward “Ed” Dwight has created more than 130 sculptures around the world, including the sculptures at John Hope Franklin Park in downtown Tulsa. Dwight was born in 1933, but his art career didn't begin until 1978.

He grew up in Kansas at an integrated school, before heading into the military and eventually became a real estate developer in Colorado.

Dwight said he started gathering scrap metal from his construction sites and made art for his home. Then, after the first black lieutenant governor of Colorado saw his work, he asked him to build a sculpture showing the amazing things black people had done.

He said he was never taught about that.

"I became so angry that I had been robbed of all the history and here I was in my 40's and I had no idea that black people had done anything,” said Dwight.

Now, Dwight has built more than 100 sculptures all over the world showcasing very difficult parts of history. He said the sculptures are meant to encourage people to ask questions.

"Building these memorials isn't just for white people to come and look and say, 'oh they did something,' it's for black people too,” said Dwight. 

Dwight hopes his murals empower visitors, like Michelle Prueitt. Prueitt is visiting Tulsa for work and said it's frustrating how many people don't know about the massacre.

Dwight said he's received thank you letters from people all over the country.

He says he hopes his art helps start meaningful conversations.

"I don't have all the answers to all that stuff but building memorials, to me, is kind of a step in the right direction,” said Dwight.

Throughout the week, those attending the symposium will also hear from 12 speakers. Then on Friday night, there will be a memorial at the park in downtown Tulsa to pay tribute to the lives lost, the survivors, and descendants of the 1921 Race Massacre.