Â鶹´«Ã½

Tilghman Hemsley, a Queenstown artist and director of American Patriotic Monuments Inc., who created the original Kent Narrows watermen’s monument 20 years ago, said he had been approached about the lack of Black representation in that project.

Seeking commissioner approval to establish the new monument on county property at Wells Cove, Hemsley presented mock-ups of the detailed sculptures.

Symbolizing the rich heritage of Black watermen, the monument will depict life-size bronze sculptures featuring a conversation between a head boat captain and an oyster boat worker, according to Hemsley. The piece will also feature other important aspects of the industry, including a man working with clams, a woman picking crabs, another cleaning fish, as well as a young boy with a fishing pole along for the experience.

“It’s a sculpture that leans into the whole industry,� Hemsley said.

“The piece is designed for the public to be able to come through and be part of the sculpture,� he said.

With the history of the Black watermen engraved into the side of the pieces, “it’s all about education,� he said.

The monument is slated for a location between Bridges Restaurant and the Jetty restaurant. Hemsley emphasized the interactive nature of the work, allowing visitors the opportunity to pass between the pieces and engage with the sculptures as they visit the local area.

The watermen will be life-size bronze sculptures while the boat pieces will be stainless steel and powder-coated, he said.

Hemsley said the design of the pieces should make the monument low maintenance.

The project has already received approval from the Queen Anne’s County Parks and Recreation Department and a letter of recommendation from the Kent Narrows Foundation, he said.

The commissioners unanimously approved Wells Cove as the site for the proposed monument. Commissioner Jim Moran noted he would have preferred a competition among artists to design a tribute to Black watermen but supported the plan.

Hemsley noted time is of the essence if the statue is to be ready by July 4, 2026, in celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary.

Serving as director of the project, Hemsley said various other artists will be involved in the sculpture work. The proposed monument has an advisory committee that includes watermen, he said.

With commissioner approval, the next steps include seeking funding grants, according to Hemsley.

Although highly appreciated, just like the original watermen’s monument, the project would not be solely dependent on county support, he said.

The total cost for the project is estimated at about $475,000. The previous watermen’s monument cost about $300,000, he said.

Statues typically take about three years to complete, but Hemsley was confident as long as funding came through.

“It’s aggressive, but we can do it,� he said.

A fundraising event with auctions, games and music will be held at the Kent Island American Legion Nov. 8 starting at 7 p.m., he said.

Hemsley is also working with the Centreville Veterans Information Committee to create a life-size statue honoring the more than 400 Black soldiers of Queen Anne’s County who fought for the Union during the Civil War.

Working with Chesapeake Charities, the veteran statue committee has been hard at work establishing itself as a nonprofit, according to John Wright, statue committee chair.

Wright credited the enthusiasm of the committee in working to establish a historic monument.

“I’m glad I am in a position to help,� he said.

With the sculpture to be completed in stages, the committee foresees about a year and a half before a statue stands in front of the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center.

Donations can be sent to United States Colored Troops Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 42, Centreville, MD 21617.

As a Maryland nonprofit, American Patriotic Monuments Inc. seeks to lead public arts projects and monuments that celebrate American legacies.

More information, including sponsorship opportunities, can be found at .

Information about Hemsley’s work can be found at .