Chicago Park District Reveals Name of Sculptor and Architect Selected to Bring to Life a New Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Statue

Chicago, IL – Today, Chicago Park District representatives will join the annual Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Wreath-Laying Ceremony, hosted by the DuSable Heritage Association at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave., to honor the city's French-Haitian founder and first permanent resident. The ceremonial event will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.

During the wreath laying ceremony, the Chicago Park District will reveal the name of the sculptor and architect selected to sculpt and design a full body, figurative statue of Chicago’s first permanent non-Native settler Jean Baptiste Point DuSable to be unveiled at the forthcoming opening of the DuSable Park, near the mouth of the Chicago River and the shore of Lake Michigan at 451 N. Lake Shore Drive.

The sculptor Branly Cadet will research, design and sculpt the statue and collaborate on the base and lighting design as well as oversee the bronze casting process and sculpture installation. Working alongside Cadet will be architect Rodney Leon, who will advise on the interpretive writing and symbolic elements, lighting and siting as well as coordinate on the technical aspects of the sculpture's support, design, base fabrication, and installation.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for this project opened in March 2026 and solicited proposals from artists or artist teams interested in submitting qualifications for the public art commission at the future 3.44- acre DuSable Park. Priority was given to Haitian artists or teams, particularly those with strong connections to the Chicago region.

“Through their visionary art, Branly Cadet and Rodney Leon will pioneer a powerful tribute to Chicago’s first permanent settler, beautifully lifting up the rich diversity, deep history, and vibrant cultural stories of our city,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “This new artwork will further amplify our Sculptural Diversification Project to commission new public art, restore historic monuments, and recontextualize existing works as well as our Chicago Monuments Project initiative to expand neighborhood representation and shift historical narratives across city parks.”

Both Cadet and Leon are American-born artists of Haitian descent and are passionate about Haitian culture, and committed to educating others on the historical impact of Haitian people in the establishment of the United States. Together, these Haitian descendants will be proudly bringing to life the statue of the first Haitian/African non-Indigenous community leader of a midwestern outpost.

“As an African-American Architect of Haitian descent, this moment is especially meaningful and poignant,” said sculptor Branly Cadet. “This monument shall stand as a permanent reminder to future generations of DuSable's historic contribution and legacy to the founding and establishment of Chicago as one of the greatest cities in the United States of America and the world."

Cadet’s sculpting career includes the Ark of Return at the United Nations, and ARISE: Ancestral Heirs Illuminate Truth at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama as well as the Stealing Home: The Jackie Robinson Memorial at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

"It is truly an honor to play a role in creating this monument in partnership with Branly Cadet. I have always been inspired by Jean Baptiste Point  DuSable's life of courageous exploration, immigration, diplomacy and entrepreneurship,” said architect Rodney Leon.

Cadet has focused his work on honoring individuals from historically underrepresented communities and historical figures and trailblazers, while illuminating lost and hidden histories. This project celebrates another pioneer, echoing his personal values perfectly.

The Chicago Park District solicited the design and fabrication in honor of the legacy of the Haitian pioneer who established a thriving trading post in Chicago in the late 18th century and was a protagonist in the foundation of the city.

This historically significant project will be a central component of the park that will also feature public art installations offering unique artistic interpretations honoring DuSable, his Potawatomi wife and cultural ambassador Kitihawa as well as indigenous voices. Interpretive signage, a history timeline, and designed landscapes reflecting the area’s cultural legacy will be key to bringing the park to life.

The additional public art installations at the park will be developed in coordination with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as part of the Chicago Monuments Project.

The budget for this permanent artwork is $500,000 and is inclusive of all costs and fees associated with design, engineering, fabrication, site preparation, installation, and related expenses. The project is funded by a generous $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, spearheaded by State Senator Mattie Hunter of the 3rd District. The Chicago Park District is contributing $100,000 to round out the budget for the work to be completed.

Cadet was chosen by an artist selection panel composed of Park District staff and members of the DuSable Park Steering Committee that reviewed the three finalists.

DuSable Park

DuSable Park is a 3.44-acre peninsula located at the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, east of Lake Shore Drive and bounded by the Ogden Slip. The site was created through landfill in the late 19th century and was later dedicated as DuSable Park by Mayor Harold Washington in 1987 to honor Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. Park construction is anticipated to begin in 2026, with completion projected in 2027. This statue must be finalized and installed by the time of the park’s opening.