Alexandria's heritage as a colonial seaport and home to shipbuilding industry was set in stone last Sunday at Waterfront Park.
A monument called "The Shipbuilder," created by local sculptor Michael Curtis, was unveiled and dedicated to the city by the Alexandria Arts Safari, a nonprofit organization that supports public art, education and history projects.
The seven-foot-tall bronze statue of a 19th-century shipbuilder stands atop a three-foot carved granite base. It is a tribute to the craftsmen in an industry that played a vital role in Alexandria's development, according to Arts Safari representatives.
"We actually started to develop the statute five years ago with interviews of various shipbuilding companies about dress and other details of workers at that time. Because we had a photo of a typical shipbuilder of that era, we decided on this particular attire," Curtis said.
"Most of a shipbuilder's clothes of that time would have been made from left over sail cloth. There were also 30 different trades involved in shipbuilding. This statue is of a rigger or lineman. He is holding what was called a 'run around sue' type of rope," he said.
A classical sculptor, Curtis' works grace the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, The Library of Congress, museums, corporate headquarters, and public building throughout the nation. He was recently commissioned to create a bust of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall for the Thurgood Marshall Building in Washington, D.C., which will house the Administrative Offices of the U.S. Courts.
In accepting the statue on behalf of the city, Vice Mayor Redella "Del" Pepper said, "This monument reaffirms our history and our commitment to the arts." Pepper was joined at the ceremony by City Councilman Andrew Macdonald.
The concept for the monument was originally brought forth as part of the City's 250th Anniversary Celebration, according to Kathy Cox, project chair, Arts Safari. "This shipbuilder will insure a remembrance of the people who helped establish this City," she said at the dedication ceremony.
The statue had a total cost of $430,000. Two-thirds of that amount has been raised through individual and corporate donations, leaving $150,000 to be funded, according to the Arts Safari. "What we have to find is one individual or corporation to donate the entire remaining amount," said Barbara McMurray, a Safari volunteer.
"Since we are a 501(C)(3) organization the donation would be totally tax deductible. And the donor would get a plaque on the monument," she said.
Substantial donors to the project have been The Atlantic Companies of America, Inc.; DelGallo Studio, LLC/Eastern Memorials; Haley & Aldrich; HNTB Architects, Engineers and Planners; Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Lindsey; Miller and Long Concrete Construction; Morrison House Hotel; Potomac River Boat Company; Rick, Janet and Sara Price; The Studio/Michael Curtis; Turner Construction Company, United Rentals; Waston Solutions; The William A. Winburn Family; and Mr. and Mrs. T. Michael Willey.
Also involved in the placement of the monument in the park, which stretches between Prince and King street along the waterfront, was the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. Kirk Kincannon, director, and various staff members, represented the department at the ceremony.
A replica of the stature can be purchased by contacting Kathy Cox at 703-684-1732. To make a donation to the project log onto www.shipbuildermonument.org or send a check to Alexandria Arts Safari, 109 N. Henry St., Alexandria, VA 22314.