Liberty Belle

By Anika A. Smith

It was roughly a year ago that Cheyney University’s Fine Art Honor Society (FAHS) unveiled their first major project to the campus on Homecoming weekend 2003. She was a life-sized, 100 lb., fiberglass cow and her name was Liberty Belle. At the time of her introduction, she was still a blank canvas, but managed to win the interest and support of many Cheyney University members. FAHS members had a plethora of ideas, researchers, and planners, together with a strong myriad of talents that came together for Liberty’s exquisite transformation.

Liberty Belle’s second public appearance was on her birthday, February 25, 2004 and her party was held at Vaux Hall on the Cheyney campus. On that date, family and friends gathered to celebrate her completion and to wish her well for the upcoming Harrisburg Cow Parade 2004. Sponsored by the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, the cow parade featured 136 cows on display in downtown Harrisburg from March 31 to mid-June, 2004. She was then featured on the pavilion of the state capital building. She had managed to visually link Cheyney history, Pennsylvania history and black history with her rich array of symbols.

The railroad track pedestal that Liberty Belle is placed on symbolizes the Underground Railroad (which ran through the area of the Cheyney campus) and her base in the shape of the state of \Pennsylvania actually maps that northward road to freedom. The hands of red, yellow, black and white, each shackled to broken chains are representative of the fight that all four races have engaged in against oppression, inequality and injustice. Her dorsal red stripe is a bloodline that commemorates the blood that has been shed in the fight for freedom, and also for the blood of life that is to come thereby continuing the struggle.

Trailing the bloodline behind her tail is the red, white, and blue shield which reminds us that equality is the true American dream in its beautiful stars and stripes design. The trail then leads past the birthing area for this dream and onto the lantern of hope which will light the way into this new future. As you return to the front of Liberty Belle, you find yourself first at her replica of the actual Liberty bell and then at the steps of Independence Hall. Without freedom and equality for the whole, the dream cannot move past the fetal stages.

Portraits of significant and prominent historical crusaders for the freedom cause are interlaced over Liberty Belle’s body. These include Harriett Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Octavius Catto, Fanny Jackson-Coppin, Lucretia Mott, William Still, Ida B. Wells, Richard Allen, Laura Wheeler-Waring, Samuel Cornish and John Russworm. Liberty Belle is currently residing at the Cheyney University’s first Student Art Gallery at Biddle Hall, which is now her permanent home and sanctuary. She’s preparing for another Homecoming celebration this weekend to reunite with friends and family, and promote the upcoming miniature replica project. Thanks to Wawa Inc. the production of miniatures takes off this December and all profits will provide forstudent scholarships for Cheyney University’s undergraduate degree in Fine Art. Long term projections include a book to document the making and story of this beautiful and unique symbol of liberty. Please contact Marietta Dantonio-Fryer, Cheyney University, Fine Art Department, 1837 University Circle, Cheyney, PA 19319 or at 610-399-2412.