The North Carolina Seafood Festival is proud to reveal the 38th Annual Commemorative Poster titled "Done for the Day: A Walk on the Clam Beds" by local artist and teacher, Sarah Davenport. The unveiling took place during a special ceremony at Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant on April 13, 2024 prior to the annual Bites & Blues event. This unveiling marks another memorable chapter in the festival's history, now celebrating its 38th year.
Sarah Davenport, a seasoned arts educator specializing in acrylic painting, has captured a serene moment from the daily life of her husband, Ryan Davenport, a clam and oyster grower for their family-owned Hoop Hole Oyster Company. The family-operated farm is known for cultivating some of the saltiest oysters in Bogue Sound near Atlantic Beach, NC. The painting depicts a tranquil evening on the clam beds, embodying the hard work and dedication of the local shellfish farmers.
Sarah shares that her inspiration comes from the scenic beauty and the earnest toil of her husband and fellow NC fisherman: "This painting is a tribute to the grit and determination of those who work these waters."