GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A sculpture aimed at showcasing Greenville and Pitt County’s vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community was created in eastern North Carolina on Saturday.
The Pitt County Arts Council celebrated the “Paddock Public Art Sculpture on Dickinson Street” on Wednesday, with hundreds of people in attendance.
“It symbolizes family and community and happiness and a lot of joy and love,” said Jeremy Jordan, a former Paddock Club patron.
The vibrant sculpture is located at 1010 Dickinson Avenue, near the 10th Street Viaduct, in the former site of the Paddock Club, and the work’s central staircase was rescued with the help of people like Jordan before the building was demolished.
Jordan, who joined the club in 1999 and became a regular visitor there, kept the stairs in his backyard after it closed, knowing they were destined for some good.
“We were carrying things out of the building and I looked towards the stairs and it was like he was asking me what I thought of him,” Jordan said.
The staircase was given new life by artist Jessica Bradsher, who said it took more than two years for her design to be completed after it was selected for the sculpture. Despite the challenges she faced while designing it, she said it was an honor to be a part of something so meaningful.
“They delivered it to us in a rusty state, so we ended up cutting out some pieces and banding them together with a lot of effort and love,” Bradsher said. “It’s blood, sweat and tears.”
For more than 30 years, the Paddock Club has been the longest-running establishment in the state and many say it has served as a safe haven, and we hope this sculpture will create a place of joy and foster a sense of belonging for all.
“We want to show that Greenville and Pitt County is a safe place for our entire community,” said Holly Garriott, executive director of Emerge Gallery and Art Center.
The powder coated steel ribbon reflects the colors of the rainbow, which represent life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony and spirit.
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