Bridge of Brotherhood

by Angela Mia De la Vega

Stephanie Carel, Executive Director of Downtown Edmond Business Association was inspired by the story, West Edwards Days: African Americans in Territorial Edmond by Christopher P. Lehman, a professor of Ethnic Studies at St. Cloud State University, MN. Stephanie was quoted saying “It was history that I didn’t know and thought the rest of our community should know.” Stephanie enlisted the help of Kathy Thomas to fund raise for a sculpture to tie into the history. As soon as they saw Angela’s “Bridge of Brotherhood”, they knew it was the perfect piece to represent the history of Edwards Street. Artist Angela Mia De la Vega also co-founded FLITE (Friends Lifting Individuals to Empowerment) whose mission is to harness the power of artistic expression and use it to raise funds and empower enslaved or socially excluded people. Purchased through the Edmond Visual Arts Commission (EVAC) with a private donor/public matching fund program called Art in Public Places. The donors were Mo & Richard Anderson; Doug, Jordan, and Ronnie Arnett; Banc First; Stephen Bruce; Linda Burrows; Louise & Gerry Cannon; David & Stephanie Carel; Beverly & Dennis Chaumont; Darrell & Martica Davis; Harris Foundation; Hauschild Family; Krista Jones & Craig Stinson; Dr. Christian & Michele Koopman; Saundra & Frank Naifeh; Brad & Julie Reeser; Pete Reeser; Arleather & Barry Rice; Cynthia Schaus; Dana & Randel Shadid; Jimmie Shadid; Linda Speegle; Robert & Jacklyn Spring; Mrs. Bob (Kathy) Thomas; Joseph & Elizabeth Waner; Robert & Tammy Weiss; Larry & Leah Westmoreland; and Saeed Zahrai.

Worktype: People Sculptures