The Jackson Center, dedicated in 1963 off Wheat Street, served as a community hub for Morgan County’s African-American residents in Madison’s historic Canaan neighborhood.
After the center fell into disuse 40 years later, the Downtown Development Authority of Madison bought the property from the Ministers Union. It cleared the site for the construction of the Canaan Crossing apartment complex.
The affordable housing complex, opened by Woda Cooper Companies and Parallel Housing in 2023, is now home to a metal sculpture commemorating the legacy of the center that once called the property home.
On Sept. 30, the City of Madison unveiled the sculpture created by Harold Rittenberry, whose metal art can be found across Georgia and many other states around the nation.
Rittenberry said he aims to tell stories in his artwork.
“I tried to tell the story [of the Jackson Center] the best I could,” Rittenberry shared during the unveiling. “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity.”
The sculpture incorporates the wrought-iron porch posts originally used at the center. It also features motifs of activities held at the center, including children’s dances, a wedding, and recreation. Butterflies and flowers are also on full display to symbolize hope, as are many messages of “love all.”
“As a city council member and the mayor pro-tem, I am committed to supporting initiatives that enhance our quality of life and showcase our district’s unique character,” District 1 councilmember Carrie Peters-Reid, who represents the Canaan neighborhood, said about the sculpture. “This artwork is a shining example of what we can achieve in collaboration and creativity. Thank you to everyone involved, and let us continue to celebrate the arts and make our community a place where beauty, imagination, and inspiration thrive. It is my pleasure to accept this incredible gift on behalf of this district.”
Woda Cooper representative Jack Kuhn also expressed gratitude for the construction of the complex and the sculpture.
“We truly appreciate the City of Madison, and we cannot applaud you enough for your vision and commitment to more affordable housing for more Madison residents,” Kuhn said. “We also commend you for paying tribute to the history of this neighborhood; thank you for your efforts to honor the Jackson Center that once sat here with this beautiful sculpture.”
The Downtown Development Authority, Woda Cooper, the Madison Historic Preservation Commission, which wrote the history shared via QR codes on the sculpture plaques, and Madison’s street department, which moved the sculpture to Canaan Crossing, is credited with bringing the sculpture to life.
Donors who contributed to the project include Woda Cooper, Parallel Housing, Alliance Corrugated, Starbucks, the Public Arts Commission, the Madison-Morgan Conservancy, and the City of Madison.