Cuyahoga County, Partners celebrate new landmark outside Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH—Cleveland’s own Superman now stands tall in the city where he was born, thanks to a new statue unveiled today outside the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. County leaders, members of the Siegel & Shuster Society, comic book fans, and community members gathered downtown to celebrate the Man of Steel and dedicate the newly named Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza.

The tribute plaza will feature a stainless-steel statue of Superman on top of an 18-foot pillar, alongside bronze statues of Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and Joanne Siegel — the original model for Lois Lane. Nationally renowned sculptor David Deming created the statue to honor Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two Cleveland teenagers whose 1930s creation forever changed popular culture.

“The Superman statue and the Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza honor two creative minds and celebrate Cleveland’s legacy of imagination, resilience, and hope,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Superman was born in Cuyahoga County, and his story reflects our own: ordinary people doing extraordinary things to make the world better. This plaza is a point of pride for our community, serving as a gathering place for families, fans, and future heroes to be inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead.”

“Our community has wanted to commemorate the Man of Steel for many years now. When there were issues identifying a space for this tribute, I was proud to help facilitate conversations that led to the creation of the Superman Plaza at the County-owned Convention Center,” said District 8 Cuyahoga County Councilman Pernel Jones, Jr. “As a lifelong fan of Superman and avid comic book collector, I was happy to be part of making this happen. This is where Superman belongs: at the center of the city where he was created. This statue is a reminder to every person who walks by that greatness can begin anywhere, ESPECIALLY in Cleveland.”

The Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza outside the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland is expected to draw visitors from near and far.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Superman to the Convention Center. Every guest who visits us will now see a piece of Cleveland’s history and a reminder that this city helped launch a global icon,” said Tim Meyer, executive director of the Cuyahoga County Convention Facilities Development Corporation which operates and manages the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.

The Siegel & Shuster Society, longtime advocates for celebrating Superman’s local roots, called the unveiling a dream come true.

“This project has been years in the making. Jerry and Joe gave the world a hero, and now Cleveland has given them a fitting tribute. We’re proud to have helped bring this statue to life in the very city where Superman took flight,” said Gary Kaplan, Siegel & Shuster Society President and cousin of Jerry Siegel.

The Superman statue is open to the public at the corner of Ontario Street and St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland. Whether you’re a visitor, resident, or comic book fan, everyone is encouraged to take a selfie with Superman on the Siegel and Shuster Tribute Plaza and celebrate the Cleveland spirit that helped him take flight.

For more information about the statue and the tribute plaza, visit siegelandshuster.com.

Photo gallery of the event, courtesy Cuyahoga County Communications.

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