mission statement

history of the project

how the sites were chosen

background of the underground railroad

symbology of the sculptures

The "Stations" sculptures were created by a team of artists: Houston Conwill, sculptor; Estella Conwill Majozo, poet, and Joseph DePace, architect. Houston Conwill is a distinguished African-American sculptor who has completed installation project at the Brooklyn Museum, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Alternative Museum in New York, as well as many other sites throughout the United States. Estella Conwill Majozo, Houston's sister, has a Ph. D. in English from the University of Iowa, and has published her poetry through the Third World Press, the Macaenas Press, and various other journals. Joseph DePace has an Masters of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University. He has won many competitions and fellowships, including the Steedman Fellowship from the American Academy in Rome, the Gandhi Competition in New Delhi, and a project exhibition at the Venice Biennale in Architecture..In 1988, celebrated artist, Houston Conwill was commissioned by Artpark of Lewiston, New York to complete a temporary public art project for the summer season. Upon completion, the seven sculptures were installed in the wooded areas adjacent to the park leading to the Niagara River.The sculptures, made of wood, concrete, copper and chrome plating, and bronze, were created to serve as metaphoric representations of the relationship between the sanctuary and the refuge seeker. Each represents points of rest along the meandering path--sanctuaries for contemplation and thought.When the contract date for the sculptures expired, Conwill enlisted the support of the Castellani Museum in assistance in securing permanent installation of this project in the area of Niagara County. Recognizing the superior quality of the sculptures and the significance of the site-specific work to this historic community, the museum enthusiastically accepted challenge.With funds provided by the Castellani Purchase Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, and a private donation, the sculptures were purchased on behalf of the community. Six of seven sculptures were placed within the community with the seventh remaining at the museum as a focal point of introduction for inquiring visitors.