Video: Celebrating the Tarpon!
The Outdoor Arts Foundation has partnered with Tierra Verde-based Tampa Bay Watch to launch Florida's first State-wide community art project.  Called "Fins Across Florida," the project will kick-off in Tampa Bay with 6' x 3' fiberglass Tarpon. 

As with past fiberglass animal projects the Foundation has executed featuring Loggerhead Sea Turtles and West Indian Manatees, the Tarpon will be sponsored by local businesses, embellished by local artists and students, then placed on public display between March of 2011 and November of 2011.  Unlike past projects, at the conclusion of "Tampa Bay Tarpon," sponsors will have the option of keeping their Tarpon or donating them to the charity of their choice.

The fiberglass Tarpon will be configured in such a way that they can be mounted either on the exterior side of a building or on an interior wall inside.  Sponsors will have the option of whether to have their Tarpon exhibited at their place of business; or, at a secondary location where Tarpon will be grouped in "Schools of Fish."  WestShore Plaza and Tampa International Airport have recently signed on to be exclusive locations for "Schools of Fish."

What differentiates this project from others is that the Foundation is already planning to organize similar projects throughout Florida featuring various fish species found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida's Atlantic Coast and interior lakes.  Sixteen of these species have been identified and designs for popular Florida fish including the Grouper, Snook, Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Spotted Trout and Large Mouth Bass are in the works.

Working in conjunction with Tampa Bay Watch, the Foundation hopes to use all of these projects as tools to educate the public about issues relative to coastal water conservation and State-wide efforts to preserve and protect Florida's delicate ecosystem.

According to Foundation Executive Director, Jay Goulde, "This is the first time a non-profit organization has attempted to coordinate a State-wide community art endeavor.  The key to the success of this project is our partnership with Tampa Bay Watch as well as other forward-thinking Florida-based environmental organizations."

The fiberglass Tarpon are currently available with sponsorships starting at $2,500.  Both the Foundation and Tampa Bay Watch will be spending the rest of 2010 lining up sponsors and artists to participate; and, both organizations are hopeful that at least 50 Tarpon will be on display when the exhibit phase of the project begins in 2011.

For more information regarding "Fins Across Florida" or "Tampa Bay Tarpon",  please visit www.outdoorartsfoundation.com or call Jay Goulde at (727) 723-8620.