Stone and Steed
Stone and Steed is a monumental tribute to the courage, sacrifice, resilience, and unity that emerged from one of the darkest days in American history. Conceived by artist Sandra Priest, founder of Project 911 Up, this memorial is designed to preserve the legacy of September 11, 2001, for generations to come.
At the heart of the memorial are nine life-size bronze horses, symbols of strength, determination, and unwavering spirit. Working together, the horses pull authentic 8-ton sections of the World Trade Center slurry wall—the massive underground barrier that held back the Hudson River and remained standing despite the unimaginable devastation of the attacks. These historic artifacts are among the most powerful physical remnants of 9/11, representing endurance in the face of tragedy.
The memorial is envisioned as a dramatic circular installation approximately 100 feet in diameter, where visitors can walk among the sculptures and experience the immense scale of both the horses and the World Trade Center artifacts. The composition captures a moment of extraordinary effort, symbolizing the collective strength of firefighters, police officers, first responders, construction workers, military personnel, volunteers, survivors, and countless ordinary citizens who came together with courage and compassion.
The horses represent more than physical power. Throughout history, they have carried humanity through conflict, hardship, rebuilding, and hope. In Stone and Steed, they embody perseverance, sacrifice, and the enduring determination to move forward together.
This memorial is intended to be more than a work of art—it is a place of reflection, remembrance, education, and healing. Visitors will be invited to honor the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost, recognize the heroism displayed on September 11 and in the days that followed, and reflect on the enduring values of freedom, service, and national unity.
Stone and Steed stands as a lasting reminder that while tragedy can leave deep scars, the human spirit has the strength to endure, rebuild, and inspire hope. It is a memorial dedicated not only to remembering the past but also to inspiring future generations to value courage, compassion, and the power of standing together.
Through Project 911 Up, this extraordinary vision seeks to create one of North America’s most meaningful memorials—a timeless symbol that honors the past while encouraging unity and resilience for the future.
San reached out to Tyrel in 2025 and personally traveled to Montana to invite Tyrel to become a commissioned artist with her on a part of Project 911UP, the new coming 911 National Memorial called Stone and Steed.
Tyrel Johnson
Tyrel Johnson
Tyrel Johnson is an acclaimed American sculptor based in Billings, Montana, widely recognized for his dynamic, deeply symbolic, and emotionally resonant bronze sculptures. Born into a family of makers as the youngest of sixteen children, Johnson spent his formative years working alongside his siblings in his father's art foundry. This immersive early experience provided him with an expert-level mastery of traditional monumental scaling, sculpting, and the intricate lost-wax casting process. After spending his twenties mastering high-end custom carpentry and hand framed roofs, he eventually returned to his foundational roots, seamlessly uniting a love for complex woodworking with classical, high-fidelity bronze sculpture. Guided by the philosophy that an artistic mind is only free when the hands can execute what they are asked to imitate, Johnson has built a celebrated reputation for capturing the raw power and subtle psychology of animals, particularly the equine form. Rather than aiming for simple anatomical replication, his signature style utilizes bold, gestural lines, and contrasting natural mediums to evoke a profound narrative connection between the viewer and the art. His award-winning work has been prominently featured in prestigious western art circles and magazines, earning accolades such as multiple Best of Show and People's Choice awards since his debut in 2018.