This is for the funding of the New Cherokee
Native American Statue that is now commissioned to be placed at the corner of
Missouri and Cherokee St. This is not the picture of the actual statue we will
have, but representative of the museum-quality work that is being done for the
community and the greater St. Louis area.
We are looking for donations to help us fund this
culturally appropriate, historically accurate, and respectful unique piece of
art being created by the very BEST Cherokee Sculpture Artist in the World, a
Cherokee National Treasure, Mr. Eddie Morrison out of Tahlequah, OK.
Artist: Eddie Morrison. https://www.eddiemorrison.net/. A Cherokee National Treasure. Please check out
Eddie's website and his Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/eddie.morrison.75. Eddie is an extremely talented artist who
develops his sculptures from wood and stone. He has been doing this for decades
from the Cherokee Nation Headquarters in Tahlequah, OK. Eddie is humble, kind,
and talented. Eddie's art is unique, historically accurate, and looks like
something you would find in a museum. The great thing about this project is we
get to help honor Eddie's work, the Cherokee Nation and people, and Cherokee
St, our street and community as well. This is a win, win, win for everyone. I
am excited to meet Eddie in Tahlequah and hosting him here in St. Louis for our
Unveiling.
What: A historical and culturally accurate depiction of a
Cherokee family that is life size made of high quality Silverdale Limestone.
Why: To honor the Cherokee Nation and People that Cherokee
St. in St. Louis, MO is named after, to bring an amazing and one-of-a-kind art
piece to the Cherokee/Lemp District and Antique Row, and to bring local
shoppers and tourists to visit it and our local merchants, and to help rebuild
our neighborhoods and City. The street will FOREVER be named Cherokee St. to
honor the Cherokee people and the generations that have called it home.
A previous statue that sat at the corner of
Jefferson and Cherokee, that was admittedly not culturally or historically
correct due to misunderstanding at the time it was put up, that had grown to be
a symbol of the neighborhood was removed with little public input or a plan for
replacement. This is our positive solution to that inconsiderate and
non-democratic action.
When: There will be an unveiling in late September and a
party to celebrate the Unveiling. Everyone is welcome. We are hoping the Artist
can join us and members of the Cherokee Nation along with local Cherokee
descendants. More details to Come.
Fundraise: We are raising $25,750. The breakdowns of costs is below:
Cost of Stone: $2,040
Arist Commission: $12,000
Structural Engineer: $1,500
City Permits & Related: $1,000
Plaque: $500
Transportation Gas to STL $360
Trailer Rental: $200
Concrete & Contractor: $5,000
Thomson Waterseal: $100
Artist Transportation & Lodging to Unveiling: $800
Unveiling Party Cost: $1,000
GiveSendGo Fee: $500
Payment Processor Fee: $750
Total Estimate: $25,750
If additional funds remain, all will go towards the Unveiling Party in September, 2022.
Andrew D. Polacek, Cherokee Street resident, has
put up the initial $4,000 deposit and is putting up the $2,040 for the stone.
He will be donating $500 and will be reimbursed for $5,500 he put up. He is
also on the hook for all of this if we as a community can't step up to fund
this so please help him out here! :)
Please contact andrew.polacek@gmail.com with any
questions, thoughts, or concerns.