Son of a Son of a Sailor - A Hometown Memorial to Jimmy Buffett
ABOUT MOBILE, ALABAMA
Mobile, Alabama, was founded in 1702 as the first capital of Louisiana, is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. It was a key colonial port under French, British, and Spanish rule before becoming part of the U.S. in 1813. Mobile played a significant role in the Civil War as a Confederate stronghold, with the famous Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.
The city later became an industrial hub, especially in shipbuilding during WWII. The Port of Mobile has always played a key role in the economic health of the city, beginning with the settlement as an important trading center between the French colonists and Native Americans, down to its current role as the 11th-largest port in the United States and is ranked as 2nd fastest growing port in the nation.
Once called the Paris of the South, Mobile has long been the cultural center of the Gulf Coast, and you'll find an authentic experience like nowhere else in the southern United States. Mobile is home of America’s first Mardi Gras and with art museums, a symphony orchestra, professional opera, a professional ballet company, and a large concentration of historic architecture.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE GULF OF MEXICO
Located on the Mobile River at the Port of Mobile, the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico is the only museum in the world dedicated to the rich history and traditions of the Gulf of Mexico. With more than 80 immersive exhibits and interactives, the Museum has something to offer for maritime lovers of every age.
Click here to visit website.
(Red dot on 2nd image indicates statue location)
ABOUT JIMMY BUFFETT
Jimmy Buffett (1946–2023) was a singer-songwriter, author, and businessman best known for pioneering the "Gulf and Western" musical genre—a blend of country, folk, rock, and Caribbean influences. His music, often centered around the themes of island escapism, good times, and coastal living, made him a cultural icon.
Born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Buffett spent much of his childhood in Mobile, Alabama, where he developed a love for the Gulf Coast's boating and beach culture. He attended McGill Institute (now McGill-Toolen Catholic High School) in Mobile before heading to Auburn University and later transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a degree in history.
Buffett's deep connection to the Gulf Coast is evident throughout his music, with songs like A Pirate Looks at Forty, Son of a Son of a Sailor, and Biloxi reflecting his upbringing near the water. Mobile, Gulf Shores, and the surrounding region played a crucial role in shaping his laid-back, nautical-themed persona. He often credited his grandfather, a steamship captain from Mobile, with inspiring his love for the sea.
Buffett also performed in Mobile multiple times throughout his career, often expressing his fondness for his hometown roots. In 2023, shortly after his passing, the city of Mobile honored him by creating “Son of Sailor Fest”, attracting Parrot Heads from all over the region.
SCOPE OF PROJECT
The Mobile Arts Council is searching for an experienced artist or artist team to create a larger-than-life (7'O") realistic representation of Jimmy Buffett with pedestal, or if sitting, with a bench or low wall. This sculpture will be installed at The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico on the Mobile River. Submissions for this phase of the project must be submitted by April 25, 2025.
Artists should reference images of Jimmy Buffett between the years of 2000 and 2015.
Contact Angela Montgomery at amontgomery@mobilearts.org or 251-432-9796 for questions regarding this project.