Building a monument for South carolina’s forgotten son: Robert Smalls
Robert Smalls
5th Generation lead designer, Bran Oswalt, and renowned sculptor, Alex Palkovich, recently contributed designs for the Robert Smalls monument to be built at the South Carolina Statehouse. While several on the Robert Smalls Monument Commission considered their design to be the most creative and comprehensive, ultimately, a different design was determined to be the best fit for the Statehouse grounds.
A new location for Bran and Alex’s design is now in discussion in Smalls’ hometown of Beaufort, SC. The project has garnered the support and enthusiasm of several key members of Beaufort’s community, including city manager, Scott Marshall.
“This monument, in my humble opinion, belongs in the birthplace of Robert Smalls.”
We now seek the community’s support to build this monument and tell the story one of South Carolina’s most fascinating and forgotten men. We invite you to review the design below and show your support by completing the form at the bottom of the page. With your support, we can make this monument a reality.
Alex Palkovich & Bran Oswalt
A Partnership of Excellence
Alex Palkovich and Bran Oswalt have crafted a partnership that combines artistic vision, technical expertise, and a shared passion for public memorials. Over the past 16 years, they’ve collaborated on more than a dozen projects, many of which have garnered international recognition and have won numerous design awards, underscoring the impact of their shared vision and craftsmanship.
Their work reflects a mutual commitment to crafting one-of-a-kind, deeply meaningful monuments. Bran, with five generations of memorial design behind him, and Alex, an internationally recognized bronze sculptor, complement each other’s talents by merging precision and artistry with narrative depth. Their partnership is not only rooted in technical excellence but also in a shared vision of creating works that leave a lasting impact on public spaces.
While each artist can stand alone on their own accomplishments, their partnership elevates each project to a higher degree of excellence. Their synergy allows them to push the boundaries of public memorial art, resulting in works that are not only aesthetically striking but also rich in historical and cultural significance.
Bran and Alex at the dedication of the WWII Memorial at the Florence Veterans Park.
Selected Collaborative Works
2008 - Armed Forces Memorial - Florence Veterans Park - Florence, SC
2010 - Home Safe - Florence Veterans Park - Florence, SC
2012 / 2021 - Francis Marion - Johnsonville, SC
2014 - Huey Cooper - Lake City, SC
2016 - Alone with Memories - Florence Veterans Park - Florence, SC
2019 - The Sower - Florence Baptist Temple - Florence, SC
2022 - WWII Memorial - Florence Veterans Park - Florence, SC
2023 - Florence Harllee Memorial - Hopewell Cemetery - Florence, SC
2023 - The Aviator - Florence Veterans Park - Florence, SC
City of Conway Flood Memorial - Conway, SC (projected installation in Summer 2026)
Sayaun Dent Memorial - Elizabeth, NC (projected installation in Summer 2025)
“We believe that the monument to Robert Smalls should be a graceful and powerful tribute to a man whose life story embodies courage, leadership, compassion and an unwavering commitment to human rights. We aim to build a monument that will stand with dignity in Smalls’ hometown of Beaufort, telling his remarkable story through compelling artistic form, profound symbolism, and a refined, timeless presence.
We envision an imposing three-sided granite monolith. Each side will represent a defining chapter in Smalls’ life, allowing the viewer to experience his transformation from enslaved youth, to Civil War hero, to a respected statesman who fought for the rights of all people. A bronze statue depicting Smalls in these key periods will adorn and interact with each side of the granite. “
THE STORY IN STONE
SIDE ONE
Unlike many slaves who worked in the fields, Smalls served as a house servant, and worked in restaurants. His role as a house servant allowed Smalls to spend significant time with his mother, who had a profound influence on his early life. A defining moment of his life was when his mother took him to the slave market to witness the brutal reality of slavery. This moment set Smalls’ life on a new course to pursue freedom, not only for himself, but for his family and all enslaved people.
The first side of the monument will depict Smalls as a young boy as though he were in service to the viewer. Smalls will be ground level, the viewer must look down upon him. The granite backdrop will be rough and compactly textured, representing the binding chains and harsh realities of slavery. The statue will appear to step forward, emerging from the granite as if walking out of the shadows of slavery—symbolizing his growing awareness of the evil he sought to escape. Key elements in the sculpture will symbolize Smalls’ relationship to his mother and other details about his early life.
SIDE TWO
In the months leading up to his daring capture of the Confederate ship, CSS Planter, Smalls carefully observed the captain’s behavior, meticulously studying the actions and procedures he would need to imitate in order for his mission to be successful. On that fateful night, Smalls, disguised in a straw hat and coat resembling that of the captain, postured himself and steered the ship past Confederate fortifications to freedom, bringing with him his wife, children and several other enslaved individuals.
The second side of the monument will portray Smalls as a young man at the helm of the Planter during his daring escape to freedom. He will be dressed in the captain's attire with a look of determined focus, as if hiding in plain sight to avoid detection. Extending from the monument, granite shaped like the ship’s bow will support Smalls’ statue half-way up the monolith. The rough texture of the granite continues on this side and evokes turbulent seas, but gradually softens and breaks apart, symbolizing the hope and freedom at the end of his journey. Elements of the sculpture will represent Smalls' family and the enslaved individuals he brought to freedom.
SIDE THREE
After the Civil War and as a free man, Smalls purchased the Beaufort home in which he was born a slave, and continued to raise his family there. He also began an extensive career as a public servant, serving numerous state and federal terms. He was a key figure during Reconstruction, actively participating in shaping legislation that advanced the rights and opportunities of African Americans in the South. Robert Smalls displayed incredible compassion and forgiveness when he allowed Jane McKee, the wife of his former enslaver, to live in his home until her death.
The third side of the monument will feature a distinguished, older Robert Smalls positioned at its peak. One arm extends towards visitors, as if gesturing to his life of service to others. His open hand will offer a warm, compassionate gesture, while the deed to his house is firmly held in his other hand, symbolizing both his personal accomplishments and his fight to ensure others had the same opportunities to succeed. The majority of the third side will be finely finished; however, the rough texture will not disappear entirely, symbolizing the ongoing challenges that we still face today in the pursuit of equality and justice. A simple epitaph will speak to Smalls’ legacy.
The Design
The initial sketch
The clay maquette
The final render
Concept Overview
Three-sided monolith symbolizing three key periods of Robert Smalls' life:
Birth into Slavery: Bronze statue of young Smalls in his servant attire stepping out from the shadow of slavery (depicted by a rough granite backdrop). Nuances in his expression and attire depict the harsh realities of slavery.
Heroism During the Civil War: Bronze statue of Smalls in his captain’s coat and straw hat commandeering the Planter. The statue’s footing gives the impression of a ship's bow extending from the monolith. The rough granite resembles turbulent seas. The bow breaks through the rough texture symbolizing Smalls’ freeing of the slaves.
Statesmanship: Bronze statue of Smalls as a legislator with an open hand of compassion. The deed to his house in the other hand.
Design Features
Granite Monolith:
Graceful obelisk design reminiscent of the Planter smokestack.
Textured backdrop for bronze statues that transitions from rough to loose, open textures as the monument rises, symbolizing Smalls' journey and ongoing challenges.
Location:
Smalls’ hometown of Beaufort, SC - exact location TBD
Purpose and Alignment
Respectful Small Footprint: Fits tastefully in many different settings
Symbolic Significance: This artistic interpretation represents Smalls' life, legacy, and connection to South Carolina and American history.
Funding for this monument will be through private donations, and we are now seeking the community’s support. If you want to see this monument become a reality, then please fill out the form below and share this project with anyone that will support this project and may want to contribute. The results of this survey will be shared with Beaufort leaders - let your voice be heard!
