Angela Dawson’s “In the Wake” offers a vivid, dual-narrative portrayal of the life and labor of Chesapeake Bay crabber and oystermen. One boot features detailed, realistic images of oystermen aboard their traditional deadrise working boats, set above the backdrop of a net along the shore, capturing the essence of their daily toils. The companion boot complements this scene with equally realistic depictions of their harvest, showcasing oysters and crabs in their natural colors, emphasizing the richness and vitality of the bay’s marine life. This pair of boots not only highlights the hard work of the watermen but also the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay, bridging the gap between effort and reward in the life of a waterman.

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.