Charlottesville Nonprofit Calls for Artists to Reimagine Melted Robert E. Lee Statue
# **Artists Invited to Reimagine Charlottesville’s Melted Robert E. Lee Statue into New Art**
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center (JSAAHC), a Black-led public research nonprofit in Charlottesville, Virginia, has launched a call for artists to transform the remnants of the city’s controversial Robert E. Lee statue into a powerful new public artwork. This initiative marks the second phase of the *Swords Into Plowshares* project, which aims to create a piece that promotes reflection, inclusion, and historical accountability.
## **Background: The Symbolism Behind the Initiative**
The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee had been at the center of years-long legal battles and widespread protests calling for its removal. It became a rallying point for the violent 2017 “Unite the Right” white supremacist gathering, which led to the tragic death of civil rights activist Heather Heyer after a car attack on protestors.
In response, the Charlottesville City Council approved a groundbreaking plan in 2021 to melt down the statue and repurpose its metal for a new public artwork. By 2023, the monument had been transformed into bronze ingots, signaling a major shift in how communities can reclaim historical artifacts with painful pasts.
## **A Democratic and Inclusive Process**
The *Swords Into Plowshares* initiative places a strong emphasis on community engagement, historical education, and artistic expression. The project is designed to foster conversations about the historical implications of Confederate monuments and their role in shaping public spaces.
JSAAHC Executive Director Andrea Douglas explained the core mission of the initiative:
> “*At the heart of the *Swords Into Plowshares* initiative is a community conversation guided by research, public education, and opportunities for reflection—situated in a place where our nation’s ideals of freedom were developed, despite being rooted in a lucrative system of enslavement whose lasting ramifications continue to shape society today.*”
## **Call for Artists: Application Process and Selection Criteria**
The JSAAHC is currently accepting applications from artists who are interested in creating a new sculpture from the melted remains of the Robert E. Lee statue. Here are the key details of the application process:
– **Submission Requirements:**
– A professional resume demonstrating artistic credentials
– A brief statement of interest explaining the artist’s connection to the project
– High-quality images and descriptions of previous works
– **Selection Process:**
A jury will select up to five semi-finalists, each of whom will receive a $10,000 grant to develop design proposals.
– **Application Deadline:**
Submissions are due by **April 25 at 11:59 PM PT**.
– **Application Fee:**
There is a **$10 application fee** to enter.
The selection committee will assess submissions based on artistic quality, community engagement, and historical sensitivity.
## **A New Public Artwork with a Meaningful Legacy**
The future sculpture, once selected and completed, will be placed in a yet-to-be-announced public location. The **Charlottesville City Council and community members will work together to determine the final site**, ensuring that the piece reflects the broader history of public parks, which were often created in the aftermath of plantation economies and later subjected to segregation laws.
Andrea Douglas reaffirmed the project’s intention of *reclaiming public space from white supremacist heritage to a more inclusive and democratic storytelling process.* The new artwork is expected to be part of wider discussions on Charlottesville’s historical memory sites, alongside:
– The **Memorial to Enslaved Laborers** at the University of Virginia
– The **Contemplative Site at Monticello**
– The **Memorial to the Enslaved** at Montpelier
## **Why This Project Matters in Today’s Context**
The removal and repurposing of Confederate monuments have been highly debated in recent years. Virginia was home to one of the highest numbers of Confederate memorials in the United States, second only to Georgia. However, it has also been a leader in monument removal efforts due to community advocacy and political action.
At a time when certain government officials push to erase or distort America’s painful history, initiatives like *Swords Into Plowshares* offer a way to address historical accountability through art. According to Douglas:
> *“As members of our federal government divest from historical accountability and attempt to reshape our shared history, it is imperative that institutions like the JSAAHC continue initiatives such as *Swords Into Plowshares*, whose success relies on artists to help us interrogate the continuity of our past, present, and future.”*
## **Conclusion: A Unique Blend of Art, Activism, and History**
The *Swords Into Plowshares* project symbolizes a shift in how cities reckon with painful histories while embracing new narratives of unity. By inviting artists to reshape the remnants of a Confederate statue, the initiative embraces the transformative power of art to