In December 2023, a ferocious storm rose out of the Gulf of Maine, the likes of which Downeasters hadn’t seen in a generation — if ever. It was as if Neptune himself, Roman god of the seas, conjured the storm as a warning to better protect planet Earth.

Midcoast Maine, particularly the Camden-Rockland area, was hit hard, with restoration costs rising into the millions of dollars. 

Ironically, one of the casualties was a fired-clay sculpture of Neptune holding his trident, alongside his mermaid wife, Salacia.

The sculpture had been created by local potter and sculptor Richard Johnson for Rockland’s annual Maine Lobster Festival. Johnson worked on the sculpture during the two years he and his wife, Susan — also a potter — were in near-total isolation during Covid. Neptune was then put on display during the 2022 Festival and dedicated to all the volunteers in memory of Alice Crie Knight, a longtime Festival director who had passed away. 

As the winter storm approached, Neptune was placed for safekeeping in The Landings Restaurant on the Rockland waterfront. But a tidal surge inundated the restaurant. When the water receded, all that remained of Neptune were fragments of the original sculpture. 

The original King Neptune, sculpted out of clay and fired with glaze for an ocean blue patina.

Neptune Will Return — With Your Help

Undeterred by the setback, Johnson plans to recreate the sculpture, this time entirely out of weather-resistant bronze. And he has a vision for the perfect place for it to be installed: a climate-fortified Rockland waterfront. 

In 2022, the Council launched the Downtown Waterfront Development Project, seeking to bring together municipal, state and federal funding to harden the shoreline against future storms by raising the seawall by approximately four feet.

In addition, the project will include redevelopment of the existing Bouy Park, transforming it into an open green space on the waterfront where pedestrians can picnic, watch boats in the harbor, and view the historic buoys that line the park.

Unfortunately, the 2023 storm occurred prior to this project’s completion, but it created a greater impetus to take urgent action. 

Johnson’s goal is to make his bronze Neptune the permanent crown jewel of the park.

Like the Little Mermaid sculpture in Copenhagen that has become a symbol of the city, the sculpture of Neptune with his trident in one hand, a lobster in the other, and joined by his mermaid wife, Salacia, will draw thousands of visitors each year and serve as a potent reminder of the power of the seas and the need to take action to prevent climate change.

To achieve this vision, Johnson needs two things: 

Approval from the planning commission for a permanent installation in Bouy Park

Approximately $40,000 to cover the cost of casting the sculpture in bronze 

Johnson received a $5,000 grant from the directors of the Maine Lobster Festival. That money was used to cast the head and the lobster hand this past year.

The Festival has committed to providing an additional $7,000 this year to cast another section of the sculpture. 

 Bronze Cast Head of King Neptune

If you would like to donate to help Johnson complete the project and fund the installation, please visit the Neptune’s Return GoFundMe page or send a direct donations through cash, check or money order to:

Neptune Returns Fund

c/o Richard Johnson

53 Lake Ave

Rockland, Me 04841

For further information, please direct inquiries to: camdenpottery@gmail.com