AKRON, Ohio — In his Akron studio, artist Woodrow Nash has been creating sculptures that reach the world. For over 30 years, Nash has been achieving all of his artistic goals. His studio and gallery house one of the most renowned collections of ceramic and tribal art.  

What You Need To Know

  • A project that's been years in the making is taking shape with the help of an Akron-based master sculptor

  • Woodrow Nash is creating a statue to stand tall in the Sojourner Truth Memorial Park and Plaza

  • The development of the Sojourner Truth Memorial Park and Plaza is spearheaded by the Sojourner Truth Akron Project

  • Officials chose the site for the project because it is where Truth delivered her famous “Ain't I A Woman” speech that challenged the exclusion of women of color from the women’s rights movement

“We have upwards of 70 something pieces, and I'll work this piece for a couple hours, and then I'll move to something else and move to something else until this whole body of work is complete,” Nash said. 

One of his most recent passion projects is a sculpture of abolitionist and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth. Nash is in the process of creating a statue to stand tall in the Sojourner Truth Memorial Park and Plaza. He said it’s an artwork that will stay here in his hometown and will live on. 

The development of the Sojourner Truth Memorial Park and Plaza is spearheaded by the Sojourner Truth Akron Project. It will transform the Sojourner Truth buildings and United Way of Summit and Medina parking lot. Officials chose the site deliberately because it was where Truth delivered her famous “Ain't I A Woman” speech that challenged the exclusion of women of color from the women’s rights movement.

Towanda Mullins and Edna Borders of the Sojourner Truth Project said entities and organizations across the region stepped up to support and sponsor the Sojourner Truth Memorial Park and Plaza. They expect the finished product to be something everyone can be proud of. 

“We got the interest of Summit County, not just Akron, Summit County because we don't have a statue in Summit County that represents me, that looks like me," Borders said. 

We're very fortunate to be a part of this literal history in the making. It'll be here far after we're gone. But to be a part of this, I'm just honored,” Mullins said.