Dade Heritage Trust proudly presents a 2025 Art of Preservation Award to Freda Gaffing Tschumy in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to celebrating Miami’s history through bronze sculpture. A graduate of Vassar College, Freda studied at the Art Students League of New York and the Academia di Belle Arti in Rome before earning her MFA at the University of Miami, where she also discovered her passion for casting molten bronze. She went on to teach bronze casting at the University of Miami and Miami Dade College.
Freda’s acclaimed public works include Tetrahelix and Son at the University of Miami Metrorail Station and the seated statue of Marjory Stoneman Douglas at Fairchild Tropical Garden. Her latest creation—a moving tribute to Miami historian Arva Moore Parks, commissioned by DHT—will soon be unveiled at the Miami Main Library. Through her art, Freda has brought to life the legacies of two of Miami’s most influential women, ensuring their stories continue to inspire future generations.