Rhode Island Slave History Medallions will unveil a maquette of a planned 8-foot bronze statue of George T. Downing at an Oyster Fest reception Feb. 28 at the Newport Art Museum.
The event, held in recognition of Black History Month, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and supports RISHM’s $250,000 campaign to complete the fabrication and installation of the statue at the corner of Pelham Street and Bellevue Avenue — opposite Downing Street, the historic site of the Downing Sea Girt Hotel and Oyster House.
The organization says the project represents a historic milestone as Newport’s first statue honoring a person of color.
Downing was a prominent restaurateur in Newport, New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as a committed abolitionist and advocate for African American civil rights. Born in 1819, he dedicated his life to justice, equality and community advancement until his death in 1903. He is buried in Newport’s Island Cemetery.
The formal program begins at 7 p.m. in the museum’s Ilgenfritz Gallery, with seating for 165. Robb Dimmick of Stages of Freedom will speak about Downing’s life and legacy, and sculptor Vinnie Bagwell will discuss her artistic process in creating the statue. The maquette will be on display in the library.
The evening also includes an oyster bar, cash bar, hors d’oeuvres in the Wright Gallery and a curated wine bottle donation display in the Drury Gallery.
Tickets are $50 in advance at RISHM.org and $55 at the door. Those unable to attend can contribute to the project through the donate page on the website.
RISHM is dedicated to identifying, marking and interpreting sites related to the history of enslaved and free African heritage people in Rhode Island.