Seeking Artist Proposals for Jimmy Buffett Sculpture

The City of Mobile and the Mobile Arts Council are seeking proposals from experienced artists for the creation of a bronze sculpture honoring music legend and Gulf Coast native Jimmy Buffett.

This larger-than-life tribute will be installed on the waterfront at The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. The installation will debut alongside a new exhibit at the museum celebrating Buffett’s enduring musical and cultural legacy during the 4th Annual Son of a Sailor Festival in September 2026.

A pioneering artist behind the “Gulf and Western” musical genre, Buffett spent his formative years in Mobile and graduated from the McGill Institute (now McGill-Toolen) in 1964. Though he lived in and wrote about communities across the Gulf Coast, Mobile was a place Buffett always called home.

Inspired by the Port City’s coastal charm, maritime culture, and laid-back lifestyle, Buffett’s music encapsulated the spirit of the Gulf Coast, earning him a devoted fan base worldwide. His songs, including A Pirate Looks at Forty, Son of a Son of a Sailor, and Biloxi, immortalized the region’s nautical heritage, making him an iconic ambassador of the coastal lifestyle that remains a crucial part of our culture.

As part of Mobile’s riverfront revitalization, the City of Mobile and the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico will commemorate Buffett’s legacy with an immersive exhibition and a bronze sculpture of Buffett facing the waterfront in downtown Mobile.

The one-of-a-kind exhibit will encompass two floors of the museum—showcasing Buffett’s life and musical career as well as his impact on the Gulf Coast. Thanks to a partnership with the Buffett family, the exhibition will feature numerous artifacts from the musician’s life, along with unreleased recordings, videos, and behind-the-scenes footage captured throughout his nearly 60-year career.

The sculpture outside the museum will depict a realistic, larger-than-life representation of Buffett, including a pedestal or, if seated, a bench or low wall. Artists should reference images of Buffett from 2000 to 2015 for inspiration. The Mobile Arts Council is inviting qualified artists and artist teams to submit proposals for this landmark project. Applications will be accepted through April 25, 2025.

Interested artists can find more information about the project scope and eligibility requirements at Jimmy Buffett Memorial – Phase I RFP

For additional details, contact Executive Director of the Mobile Arts Council, Angela Montgomery, at amontgomery@mobilearts.org or (251) 432-9796.