Dear Friend of Cameron Art Museum,
In 1864, former slave James Bayles enlisted in the 5th United States Colored Troops in Yorktown, VA. Just 18 years old, this young man with black hair and blue eyes enlisted for a 3 year term to join the fight to end slavery. James was wounded in the arm at the Battle of Forks Road in Wilmington, NC, where 1,600 brave USCT fought for freedom.
Today, I invite you to remember James and the many like him by contributing to Boundless, the United States Colored Troops (USCT) Public Sculpture Project at Cameron Art Museum (CAM). CAM is the site of the Battle of Forks Road, a Civil War skirmish led by the USCT that decisively secured the fall of Wilmington. These brave men fought to end slavery in the United States – and were victorious. This sculpture, commemorating their bravery, will be the first figurative depiction of African Americans in public art in southeastern NC. It will be unveiled November 13, 2021, but we need your help to make it happen.
Your support will help fund this new work by NC artist Stephen Hayes that commemorates the contribution of the USCT to US history. The life-size bronze sculpture includes the features cast of 11 African American men connected to the site and its story - USCT descendants, re-enactors, veterans, and community leaders.
We can’t do this without you. I invite you to be a part of history and make a donation or purchase a brick paver that will permanently recognize your belief in this project on the site of the sculpture. Your entire gift at any level will go towards making this important work of art possible.
Mark your calendars now for an online fundraising telethon on Facebook Live on CAM’s page on April 24 from 9 AM-3 PM to raise funds for this project. Help us meet our goal of raising $75,000 by donating and spreading the word about the telethon and this project. Please feel free to contact John McDonnell at (910) 395-5999 ext. 1010 for more information.
Most gratefully,
