Melville Statue Design Unveiled at Seamen’s Bethel

Acclaimed Sculptor Stefanie Rocknak Selected From 41 Applicants

NEW BEDFORD – As told in Chapter 9 of Herman Melville’s literary epic Moby-Dick, Ishmael and Queequeg sat in the Whaleman’s Chapel in New Bedford and listened as Father Mapple offered a sermon about Jonah, who was swallowed by a whale but was saved after repenting and committing himself “to preach truth to the face of falsehood.”

Acclaimed sculptor Stefanie Rocknak chose this passage as inspiration for her design for New Bedford’s Herman Melville statue. Titled Melville and Jonah’s Journey and described in detail in her proposal, it captures the famous author standing firm and composed with sea swirls around his feet as three large whale ribs emerge from the water “representing Melville’s own journey into and out of the whale. Yet, Melville rises above them, his mouth open, as though beginning to speak – to tell the story of Moby-Dick, this truth.”

“Melville, like Jonah, was on a journey of transformation. Just as Jonah was cast back to shore to fulfill his divine purpose, Melville returned from his own voyages to write Moby-Dick – a novel that immortalized not only his personal journey but also New Bedford’s whaling heritage,” she wrote in her project proposal.

A committee comprised of artists and city planners selected Rocknak’s proposal out of 41 submitted by artists from across the United States and beyond. Mayor Jon Mitchell unveiled the design and introduced Rocknak Friday morning at Seamen’s Bethel, which is the inspiration for Melville’s Whaleman’s Chapel and the future site of the statue.

“The opportunity to honor Herman Melville in the city that inspired the most famous literary work in the English language attracted first-class artists from across the country,” Mayor Mitchell said. “As the selection committee recognized, Stefanie Rocknak’s vision for the statue is compelling and timeless. It will be a source of pride for New Bedford residents and visitors for generations.”

Rocknak’s previous work includes Poe Returning to Boston, a life-sized statue of Edgar Allan Poe located in Boston. She also created a model of the Venus of Lespugue for artist Robert Morris, which was enlarged and permanently installed in The Gori Collection in Fattoria de Celle, Pistoia, Italy. Other venues to feature her work include The Smithsonian, the Grolier Club in New York, the Tampa Museum of Art, and the windows of Saks 5th Ave in New York.

She received B.A. from Colby College in American studies, art, and art history, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Boston University. She is currently chair and professor of philosophy at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. Her website is steffrocknak.net.

Mayor Mitchell launched the process of building a Melville statue almost exactly a year ago on Jan. 4, 2024, when he announced a call for artists and that the project will be supported with a combination of public and private funds.

In August, the City reached an agreement with the New Bedford Port Society to locate the statue at the Seamen’s Bethel, the historic chapel at the heart of the City’s whaling heritage. The Port Society also agreed to contribute 20% of the statue’s cost up to $50,000. The Port Society is accepting donations to support the statue project on its website: Seamensbethel.org.

The Melville statue is expected to be completed and installed in 12-15 months.

This project follows other successful efforts in recent years to recognize individuals associated with New Bedford’s history. In 2023, the City unveiled a statue of Frederick Douglass at the new Abolition Row Park; and a sculpture and park dedication honoring former State Rep. Tom Lopes was completed in 2016.

Design images and the artist’s written proposal are available to download by clicking here.

*Published Jan. 3, 2025