Nina Simone Bronze Statue

This bronze beauty sits on Trade Street, across from the Tryon Theatre. The Nina Simone Plaza is home to this larger-than-life bronze statue of the world-famous singer and activist who was dubbed “The High Priestess of Soul.” Simone was born in Tryon as Eunice Waymon on February 21, 1933. The statue depicts Simone playing a floating keyboard and deep inside is a sculpted heart that contains some of her ashes. It’s the work of internationally acclaimed sculptor Zenos Frudakis who was commissioned by the Nina Simone Project. The statue was unveiled on February 20, 2010.