The Freedom Ring

Situated between the Winnet Student Life Building and College Gymnasium at the Community College of Philadelphia, The Freedom Ring celebrates the theme of freedom as it relates to peoples and cultures migrating across oceans in pursuit of refuge in Philadelphia. A “cosmogram” 24-feet in diameter, the artwork was fabricated from over 5 tons of Pennsylvania black and midnight gray granite, with hundreds of sandblasted letters.

There are several distinct visual components to The Freedom Ring. The circumference of the ring spells out “Let Freedom Ring” in 36 languages, and there are 12 “cultural water routes” showing the many passageways taken by immigrants coming to the United States and Philadelphia. The map at the center of the artwork marks the 14 historical sites in Philadelphia where people gathered in search of freedom, and incorporates various visual symbols that suggest layers of mythology, religion, and culture. A “song line” containing lyrics of freedom from 12 distinct songs is also woven around the ring’s center. The college announced, “We hope this handsome sculpture will be used as a gathering place and outdoor stage as it calls attention to the social/political, cultural/historical metaphors incised into its granite facade.”

The Freedom Ring was developed through the collaboration of the artistic team – Houston Conwill (artist), Estella Conwill Majozo (poet), and Joseph DePace (architect) – and members of the college’s faculty and student body. The artwork was initiated by the Community College of Philadelphia through the Redevelopment Authority’s Percent for Art program.