Article
8-30-02
Art for the Spirit
The idea of building a tall ship for the people of South Carolina
was introduced just two short years ago. By the time this article
is published, sawdust will be flying at the shipyard on Concord Street
and the construction of the Spirit of South Carolina will have begun.
During  these last two years, a beautiful pilot schooner has been
designed, an organization has been created, a shipyard has been built,
timber has been collected, people have signed on as volunteers, boatwrights
have been hired, interesting maritime history has been uncovered,
and money has been raised.
One of the most satisfying aspects of participating in a project
like building the Spirit of South Carolina, is when the dream of
a few touches the minds, hearts and spirit of many others. Evidence
of this project touching others is seen in the amazing number of
artists and craftsmen who have stepped forward to offer a wide range
of "art" for the Spirit effort.
It is true that "art" can make one’s heart sing.
This project continues to be the beneficiary of a wide array of art
from a variety of artists who have been motivated to create some
truly amazing items including: paintings, wood carvings, sculptures,
a needlepoint work, scrimshaw, a beautifully crafted sea chest, drawings,
and other works.
Seeing a huge format colorful painting of the pilot schooner Spirit
of South Carolina under full sail crossing Charleston harbor, painted
by a friend, Lionel DaCosta, in Florida, brings a huge smile to everyone.
Lee Arthur a multi-talented artist talented artist from McClellanville
is  working on a series of interpretive paintings of the original
Pregnall and Brothers Shipyard and surrounding wharfs and waterfront.
The first in his series will be enlarged and painted as a 16’ by
6’ mural for display in the first home of the South Carolina
Maritime Museum, at the shipyard. Lee is also doing woodcarvings
which will be bronze cast as numbered limited editions that will
be used to raise funds to build the ship.
Ms. Kim Case from Irmo, South Carolina, has produced a needlepoint
pillow similar to one that might have been taken aboard a ship by
a sailor as a memento from his mother, sister, wife or girlfriend.
Tom Lathrop from Oriental, North Carolina has produced a beautiful
nautical sea chest. Peter Boudreau, from Annapolis, Maryland, designer
of the Spirit has painted our official rendering of the Spirit. This
painting will also be a fund raising item. It will be made available
as a singed, limited edition, collectors item.
A grand addition to our art collection is a beautiful and interesting
wrought iron and brass gate for the shipyard entrance. Uniquely designed,
it opens by turning on its axis rather than  being hinged. It is getting
rave reviews from all who see it. It was designed and fabricated
by Jay Holmquist who has a welding business, Art of Iron, on Shem
Creek in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Another artist who will be connected to the Spirit is Jim Palmer.
Jim is from Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina and is an accomplished
carver and sculpture. He will be producing limited edition pewter
castings of various scenes as the ship construction proceeds.
Scrimshaw Dude, from Johns Island, South Carolina has donated an
interesting scrimshaw piece made from reindeer skull. He was inspired
by a newspaper account of the Spirit project.
A well know, area artist, Bill Jameson of Mount Pleasant, South
Carolina has expressed a willingness to create a series of two or
three paintings of the Spirit being built. No doubt these will be
available as limited edition prints.
Another extremely interesting South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation
project has involved commissioning one of South Carolina’s
premiere custom knife makers, Sam Cox, of Gaffney, South Carolina,
to design and create a collection of "rigging" knives.
This knife follows months of arduous research to design an original
interpretation of a rigging knife and marlin spike that might have
been used by South Carolina sailors and ship riggers of the latter
eighteenth century. These knives will be no doubt be sold or auctioned
to collectors  here and abroad, as Sam is an internationally know
artesian. We are very excited that the first shipment of twelve knives
will be delivered in September. We hope to find a way to manufacture
a non-collectible functional tool version of these knives and make
them available to the students and crew who sail aboard the Spirit
of South Carolina as a memento of the voyages.
These are some of the many stories of people who are interested
in this important effort to reconnect with our maritime past. These
people are finding inspiration in the Spirit and their creative
energy is translating into body of art that will enrich this project
for all of us.
The Spirit project wants to encourage artists
to become involved. Artists can stop by the shipyard anytime
and discuss ideas and get information. Or, call the South Carolina
Maritime Heritage Foundation office at 843-722-1030. The web
site is: www.scmaritime.org. |
