Posted on July 15, 2025 by Neil Cole
The City of Cleveland, in collaboration with Cuyahoga County and the Siegel & Shuster Society, will officially unveil the long-awaited Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza on Saturday, August 2nd at 11:00 AM. Located at the northeast corner of Ontario Street and St. Clair Avenue outside the Huntington Convention Center, the new plaza honors the co-creators of Superman with a permanent public installation celebrating their legacy.
At the heart of the Tribute Plaza is an 18-foot stainless steel statue of Superman, dramatically posed atop a tall pylon. Surrounding this centerpiece are bronze sculptures of Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and Joanne Siegel—who served as the original model for Lois Lane. The plaza also features a classic enclosed phone booth depicting Clark Kent's iconic transformation into Superman, as well as beautifully landscaped pathways, enhanced lighting, and welcoming green spaces designed for photos and reflection.
The Superman character, first imagined in 1933 by Cleveland high school students Siegel and Shuster, would go on to become a global icon after the rights were sold to DC Comics. The Tribute Plaza not only honors their creation but also reaffirms Cleveland's role as the true birthplace of the world's first superhero.
This initiative has been years in the making and represents a community-wide effort supported by individual donors, local organizations, and county leadership. Funding for the project, which is approaching its $2.5 million goal, was bolstered by repurposed allocations from the former Global Center for Health Innovation.
The unveiling event on August 2 will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a special discussion moderated by Ideastream's Mike McIntyre, featuring Laura Siegel Larson, daughter of Jerry Siegel. The panel is part of the City Club of Cleveland's summer series. In addition, local comic artists will be featured in an artist alley adjacent to the event, showcasing the region's continued contributions to comic book history.
The Siegel & Shuster Society continues to accept tax-deductible donations to support the final stages of development and ensure the full realization of this tribute. Contributions can be made through the organization's official website or GoFundMe page.
The unveiling ceremony is free and open to the public.
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English (US) · 