Together We Rise: Scheed Cole's 62-Foot Monument Celebrates Jamaica's Resilience

One year after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of Jamaica, a monumental sculpture in Montego Bay honours the strength, solidarity and helping hands that continue to shape the nation’s recovery.

One year after Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, a new landmark in Montego Bay is offering a powerful reminder of what it means to rise together.

Titled Together We Rise, the 62-foot monument is the work of acclaimed Jamaican sculptor Scheed Cole. Commissioned by Christopher Issa, CEO of S Hotels Jamaica, the sculpture was unveiled at the S Hotel property along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay, marking the first anniversary of the hurricane.

More than a tribute to recovery, the monument explores the strength found in human connection, drawing attention to the compassion and collective effort that emerged in the aftermath of the disaster.

The sculpture features intertwined hands and human figures reaching out to lift one another, illustrating the importance of solidarity in moments of hardship. At its highest point, a Tree of Life represents renewal and hope, with 14 healing plants incorporated into its design to represent Jamaica’s 14 parishes.

Its 62-foot height is also symbolic, referencing 1962, the year Jamaica gained independence.

For Cole, the message behind the work is both national and deeply personal. His understanding of the importance of a helping hand is rooted in his own childhood experiences, which shaped his approach to the sculpture.

The monument also incorporates elements of Jamaica’s experience during Hurricane Melissa, transforming imagery of survival, rebuilding and community support into a lasting public artwork.

The project was commissioned and backed by Christopher Issa and S Hotels Jamaica, reflecting a private-sector investment in public art and the cultural landscape of Montego Bay. More than 35 Jamaican specialists, including welders, fabricators, artisans and painters, contributed to bringing the ambitious installation to life.

By incorporating recycled materials and debris recovered from hurricane-affected communities, the sculpture also transforms remnants of destruction into a symbol of renewal.

Positioned along one of Montego Bay’s most recognised tourism corridors, Together We Rise adds another significant work to Jamaica’s public art landscape, while placing local artistic talent at the centre of a national story.

As the country continues to navigate the lasting effects of Hurricane Melissa, the monument offers a message that extends beyond its physical scale: recovery is not an individual undertaking. It is built through compassion, shared responsibility and the willingness to lift one another.

In its towering form, Together We Rise captures a simple but enduring truth about the Jamaican spirit: we are stronger when we rise together.