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Board accepts Arts in Beaufort donation of 'Samuel' sculpture for John Newton Park, with MOU and site confirmed
Summary
Arts in Beaufort offered a bronze fisherman called 'Samuel' plus a bench and a seven‑minute QR‑accessed narrative; the board confirmed site 1 at John Newton Park and accepted the donation subject to an MOU and transfer of rights.
Vic Fasilino of Arts in Beaufort presented a proposal to donate a bronze sculpture of a fisherman called "Samuel," an accompanying bench and a QR‑linked seven‑minute audio narrative that highlights African American contributions to the menhaden fishing industry. "We call him Samuel," Fasilino said, and explained the group had drafted the script with input from local historians and anthropologists and chosen Wardell Johnson as narrator.
Fasilino said Parks & Recreation Advisory Board unanimously recommended placement at site 1 in John Newton Park and described two possible locations; he asked the board to accept the donation, confirm the preferred site, and coordinate placement with public works. Commissioners asked about outreach to descendant families and intellectual property: Fasilino said the sculpture does not represent a single living person and that donor groups will work out reproduction rights in an MOU. The board moved to accept the donation, confirm site 1 in John Newton Park, and authorize Arts in Beaufort to coordinate with public works pending a negotiated MOU. The motion was approved by voice vote.
Several commissioners noted the piece's cultural value and the audio narration's ability to add personal context to Beaufort's menhaden history. Commissioners asked staff to ensure the MOU addresses rights, reproduction and maintenance, and to confirm the QR code hosting and access point (ArtsInBeaufort.org is available now for listening until the town website option is finalized).
