Dive into the playful waters of the Chesapeake with Jean Offutt Lewis’s “River Critters.” This vibrant pair of boots celebrates the abundant and spirited marine life of Virginia’s waterways. Adorned with whimsical sea creatures in a charming plaid pattern, each critter from jellyfish to sugar toads and crabs, is brought to life with a joyful twist. Lewis’s work not only honors the watermen’s daily encounters but also casts a spotlight on the lesser-known, yet equally enchanting, inhabitants of the Bay. Step closer and let the “River Critters” lead you through a fantastical journey along the tidal shores of the Chesapeake.

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.