The Currituck Travel and Tourism Department has been awarded a semi-finalist grant by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, to pursue a full grant for a commissioned piece of Public Inclusive Art.
This artwork, a monument or statue, will commemorate the life of John Jasper White, also known as “Currituck Jack”, who was an enslaved sailor during the Revolutionary War period.
His story is little known but is significant to Currituck County and its African American citizens. There are very few stories of this stature of enslaved citizens from this era of American history.
To ensure that the county has input and conversation in this project from the community, the tourism department is holding a series of three public meetings facilitated by Cameron Lowe of the Currituck Extension Office.
During these meetings, the story of “Currituck Jack” will be told and attendees ask for thoughts and ideas on this art and what it should embody.
The fourth meeting will be with the artist to present two or three concepts to be reviewed and chosen by the community.
The Currituck County Board of Commissioners will be reviewing and pre-approving potential county sites for placement in order to give our citizens an opportunity to voice their preference when choosing the final artwork concept.
This is a very prestigious grant for the county if it is awarded, and we should all be proud that our story has received enough recognition to be awarded a semi-finalist grant.
Meetings will be held in upper, middle, and lower Currituck to give as much opportunity for citizens to have their voices heard.
During the meetings, food and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP in advance of a meeting by calling the Moyock Welcome Center at 252-435-2947. This is to ensure that there is an accurate headcount for food and childcare.
The meetings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following schedule:
August 8: Corinth Baptist Church – Lower Currituck
September 13: Currituck Extension Center – Mid-Currituck
September 13: Samuel Chapel Holiness Church – Northern Currituck
For more information, contact the Moyock Welcome Center by calling 252-435-2947.
More on the story of Currituck Jack:
