Greetings, and thank you for visiting for information related to the creation of El Faro Salute! and the opportunity to donate to this collaborative public memorial for the 33 precious souls lost to the sea with the SS El Faro on October 1, 2015.
I am grateful for the moral and financial support from so many, largely in the maritime industry, to make this prominent memorial possible. El Faro Salute! Is on the home stretch to completion. The dedication is not far away. Mark your calendars.
Saturday, September 24th
1300 Hours
44 Atlantic Street
Rockland, Maine
This is a Rain or Shine event…
It would be wonderful to have a large turnout for this dedication of a prominent Lost-At-Sea memorial along the banks of beautiful Rockland Harbor. The large open area along the Rockland Harbor Trail that has been offered up for this display by Dragon Products and the city of Rockland would be hard to beat anywhere on the East Coast.
To the maritime industry at large…….
Fundraising to meet the budget for El Faro Salute! continues. With about a $30,000 gap, it would be very nice to close that gap before the dedication. Many maritime organizations from the West, Gulf and East Coast have contributed as well as a large number of individuals. For some reason there have not been many contributions from corporations in the maritime industry. I’m counting on individuals that may work at these companies to give a little nudge and get this fundraising in the rear view mirror. Contributions are tax-deductible. I have no concerns of the money landing, however, it would be nice to have a clean sweep ahead of the dedication for many reasons.
It as been my goal from early on to have the maritime industry support this effort. We are almost there. I have communicated with many in the local community about the desire to have locals contribute to the dedication and make those who are traveling to the Rockland feel so welcome that they want to return to the city. The stars seem to be lining up for a memorable afternoon when we all gather to memorialize the entire crew of the El Faro on that fateful trip. Myself, and all that have contributed to this effort financially and in many other ways have high hopes that this prominent symbol of collective compassion will provide some measure of comfort to the families, friends and all that have connections to the 33 souls lost in Hurricane Joaquin.
If you would like to donate toward the creation of El Faro Salute! Checks can be made out to the Penobscot Marine Museum.
Be sure to write “El Faro Salute” on the memo line and include contact information for the museum to send a receipt of your gift for your records. Mail the check to:
Penobscot Marine Museum
PO Box 498
Searsport, Maine 04974
To make a donation online, use the button below to click through to the Penobscot Marine Museum Square store page and scroll down to find El Faro Salute!
The Penobscot Marine Museum, Maine’s oldest marine museum, is serving as the fiscal sponsor for this project. This 501c3 organization works to promote and protect the rich maritime heritage of the Penobscot Bay Region and its history.
LATEST NEWS
"Artist Jay Sawyer has created a moving and significant memorial to a tragic event at sea. As an art curator and wife of a master mariner, it speaks to the role public art can fill, serving as both a tribute to those whose lives were lost and a reminder, lest we forget, of the power of the sea."
- Suzette McAvoy
former Executive Director & Chief Curator
Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockland, Maine
Original Artist Rendering of El Faro Salute! 2020
Two maritime officer uniforms in a salute position will signify the honor that the maritime family in this region and around the globe desire to express to the El Faro crew. El Faro Salute! Is also an indication of the respect and compassion offered to family and loved ones of the crew that continue to endure this tragedy.
The absence of heads in the female and male uniform demonstrates the diversity of those in the field, and at the same time allows the viewer the ability of having this expression realized with their own unique connections.
The Maestro!, ©JaySawyer2016, see StudioJBONE.com
The uniforms will be created with 1/8th inch thick mild steel industrial salvage with the same process applied as in the creation of The Maestro!. The life-size sculptures will be elevated above the granite base, causing the viewer to look slightly upward when approaching the memorial providing the open sky as an ever changing backdrop. The manipulated steel will offer a dynamic expression and the natural patina will result in a soothing texture.
"The synergy of Jay's understanding of the mariner's heroic lives remembered in this sculpture combined with his own marine Maritime background provides a very special meaning to this memorial."
- Chris Rector
retired, former Maine State Senator