S Hotel celebrates Jamaica’s resilience with new sculpture

MONTEGO BAY, St James — The S Hotel, located on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay, continues to make an impression with its visual artwork, this time with the construction of a sculpture that pays tribute to the resilience of the Jamaican people following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa last year. The new statue will serve as a landmark and an expression of gratitude to the Jamaican people and everyone who contributed to the country’s ongoing recovery from the Category 5 storm. “After we put up the 46-feetbDoctor Bird on the side of the S hotel in Montego Bay in August 2025 we received such positive feedback that we decided to put a statue in Kingston,” S Hotel Chief Executive Officer Christopher Issa told the Jamaica Observer.

“But after Hurricane Melissa we decided to do another one in Montego Bay on the Hip Strip as an inspiration, and in recognition of the resilience of the Jamaican people, and as a thank you to all those who help with the recovery locally and overseas,” he continued. The 62-foot sculpture is now in its final phase of construction and sits prominently in the commercial area of the S Hotel property, allowing locals and visitors to interact with and view it. Issa declined to comment on the cost but said more than 35 people were involved at different stages of the construction over a period of more than six months.

A crew works to complete the Together We Rise statue at S Hotel on Montego Bay’s Hip Strip. The sculpture is expected to become a new point of attraction on the famed Hip Strip, although the hotel mogul was quick to point out that it is separate from plans already in place to upgrade the area. “The statue was done independently of any plans for the Hip Strip,” he said, explaining that it was meant to be an added attraction.

A statue of sprint king, Olympian Usain Bolt was shifted slightly to the side to accommodate the new structure. “When completed we hope that the statue will be visited by locals and tourists [who] will appreciate not only the message behind it but the scope and level of artistic talent that our country has,” he said. The sculpture is the work of local visual artist Scheed Cole, the man behind the massive Doctor Bird statue that spans one side of the S Hotel building.

He explained the inspiration behind the project after being commissioned to take on the task. Visual artist Scheed Cole looks on…