“Diatoms” is a unique artistic collaboration between Jan Dobrowolski, Nadine Flood, and Kay Vincent that delves into the microscopic world of the Chesapeake Bay. This pair of boots is adorned with abstract imagery, featuring circles, lines, and shapes that creatively represent the intricate forms of diatoms—tiny algae that play a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystem. The artwork’s vivid colors and dynamic patterns celebrate the unseen beauty and scientific significance of these organisms, reflecting the artists’ deep appreciation for both art and science in understanding nature’s complexities.

About Watermen’s Way

Watermen’s Way is a public art project honoring the Watermen and Waterwomen of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Sponsored by Virginia’s River Realm in conjunction with Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce, this project benefits the Virginia Watermen’s Association, Steamboat Era Museum, and the RAL Art Center.

These oversized, fiberglass boots are iconic items for the men and women who make their living on the water. Used by the seafood industry across the world, here in the Chesapeake Bay, they have nicknames like “Guinea Slippers,” “Tangier Tennis Shoes,” “Red Balls,” or “Bubba Boots.” Each sculpture is personalized by a local artist, drawing from themes that reflect the lives of the people who work the water, harvesting crabs, oysters, and fish from the Bay, rivers, and creeks.