A Monumental Sculptural Garden on Alcatraz
Proposed by Jim Reid:

For over 40 years, I have worked as a building contractor, but my true passion lies in making a lasting impact on the world. I envision creating a 21st-century counterpart to the Statue of Liberty on the West Coast. This vision includes five monumental statues of human figures, each towering up to 250 feet tall, surrounded by 104 smaller animal sculptures, some as tall as 40 feet. The human figures will be made of copper, like the Statue of Liberty, but will feature intricate glass and ceramic tilework at their base. The smaller animal statues will be clad in beautiful glass and ceramic designs, bringing to life the interconnectedness of all species.

This ambitious project will require hundreds of artists, sculptors, ceramists, and construction workers and could take many years to complete. With an estimated cost of over $1.5 billion, this dream is monumental in every sense of the word. But as Walt Disney said, “All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” The Light of Hope is a dream today, but with persistence and passion, it can become a reality—a wonder of the world that stands as a testament to hope, unity, and the human spirit.

Learn more about the Light of Hope project.

The Light of Hope is a visionary project with clear goals that will bring it to life:

The Light of Hope project will stand five towering human figures, each representing a vital aspect of human existence and unity. The tallest, Hope, will be a majestic Native American woman, symbolizing Mother Earth. She will stand 250 feet tall, radiating strength, beauty, and resilience.

Her four children, each half her size, will symbolize essential human traits:

• Knowledge, represented by an Asian woman.
• Creativity, embodied by a Caucasian man.
• Love, symbolized by a Black man.
• Compassion, represented by a South American woman.

These five figures together will symbolize the unity and interconnectedness of humanity and our shared responsibility toward Earth and each other.

The central figure, an elephant, will be 40+ feet tall. All other animals in the grouping will be scaled accordingly. The 104 animals will symbolize humanity’s purpose: to have dominion over and responsibility for the animals and the Earth. Each animal is an ambassador from its species to humans and “God,” seeking the protection and preservation of the Earth from humans’ unconscious advances. We are the only species that can preserve or destroy the Earth.

Each of the five human figures will have their right arm raised to the sky, palm facing up, symbolizing a connection to a higher power and the hope for a brighter future. Hope, the central figure, will hold the left hand of Creativity, her son, while Knowledge, Compassion, and Love will each hold onto the flowing fabric of Hope’s dress, grounding themselves in her, the Earth.

At night, beams of intense light will shoot from the palms of their raised hands. The lights of the four children will join and intensify Hope’s light, creating a brilliant, unified beam that stretches into the sky. This display will symbolize the collective energy of humanity working together toward a common goal—saving our planet. It is this collective energy that represents the true Light of Hope.

The setting for this monumental statue garden is Alcatraz Island, a location that once symbolized the imprisonment of human souls. Now, it will become a symbol of hope and rebirth. As the prison buildings crumble with time, the monumental statues will rise above, symbolizing hope rising from despair. Over the coming decades, as the old prison decays, the statues will stand as a beacon of what the Earth can become—a place of unity, compassion, and stewardship.

The Light of Hope is not just a project; it is a movement. It aims to inspire people worldwide to reflect on their connection to the Earth and their role in preserving it for future generations. Together, we can create a new wonder of the world and build a brighter, more hopeful future.