Pillars of Hope dedicated for 9/11 victims and first responders

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A dedication for the Pillars of Hope art sculpture created by Clarksville residents was held Sunday, Sept. 11, at Veterans Plaza on Pageant Lane. Close to 70 people were in attendance to honor and remember 9/11 victims and first responders.

The monument, created by sculptor James Diehr, is made up of two pillars with 360 tiles painted by more than 300 local residents and has been 21 years in the making. Arts for Hearts co-founder Rita Arancibia envisioned its creation shortly after the attacks on the nation in 2001.

Patricia Wilkinson at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Clarksville Mayor Pro Tem Wand Smith & Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Ellen Kanervo at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Jim Diehr at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Clarksville Mayor Pro Tem Wanda Smith at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Musical Director for Cumberland Winds, Mike Ritter, and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

APSU Professor Jeeyoun Heuston at the dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

Dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

The dedication ceremony of the Pillars of Hope sculpture in Veterans Plaza, honoring and remembering 9/11 victims and first responders on, Sep. 11, 2022.

“We honored those people who gave their lives trying to save others on September 11, and we hope that we put into the permanent memory the way the nation pulled together and comforted those who mourned and went after those who attacked,” said Clarksville Arts & Heritage Council Executive Director Ellen Kanervo

Kanervo thanked other people and organizations who contributed to the monument, such as Ken Shipley and ceramics students at Austin Peay State University, F&M Bank, Volunteer Clarksville, and Hands on Nashville. The cost of the pillars came from a U.S. Department of the Treasury grant through the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Since only 360 tiles could be placed on the two pillars, additional tiles painted by the community will be displayed at other art and patriotic events. Patriotic music was provided at the event by members of the Cumberland Winds Brass Quintet.