Want to hook a 6-foot tarpon? Do you mind it being fiberglass?
In June, large tarpon sculptures should start appearing on the sides of skyscrapers in downtown Tampa. Just a few at first, then schools of fish should appear on buildings and shopping malls.
It's the latest big outdoor art project for the Tampa Bay area, and one that will appear across Florida - cities displaying fish that typify their identities.
"We've wanted to do a statewide art project for some time," said Jay Goulde, executive director of the Outdoor Arts Foundation, which has helped place artist-decorated manatees in Tampa. "This is something that unites cities across the state."
Like the foundation's past projects with giant turtles and manatees, each tarpon will pair a sponsor and an artist. Starting price: $2,250.
The Tierra Verde-based environmental group Tampa Bay Watch is involved in producing some of the first Tarpon sculptures. WestShore Plaza and Tampa International Airport recently signed on to display collected schools of fish.
Given sponsor interest, Goulde estimates there could be 50 to 75 fish in and around Tampa. The exhibit is set to run through October 2011 and then be sold at an auction to benefit the arts foundation and Tampa Bay Watch.
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