Fins Across Florida catches local artists, donations

In the past decade, brightly colored statues of turtles and manatees have popped up across the Tampa Bay area as part of outdoor art projects. Next month, the latest project goes on display, and this time it's about fish.

The project, sponsored by the Outdoor Arts Foundation, is called Fins Across Florida, and it is the organization's first statewide endeavor.

"We're looking to have different fish for each city across Florida," said Jay Goulde, executive director of the nonprofit foundation, which works to put art in public places.

The project starts in the Tampa Bay area with the Tampa Bay Tarpon, and the first 6-by-3-foot replica of the fish will be unveiled next month. About 50 uniquely decorated tarpon statues will be on display throughout the region, the foundation said.

The idea of this project is to combine art with a cause and to educate people about the local environment.

Each piece of art will be sponsored by local businesses and individuals; the fee is $2,250, plus the cost to the artists. The pieces will be auctioned after the artwork comes down. Money raised will go to the foundation, The Florida Aquarium and Tampa Bay Watch, a Tierra Verde-based nonprofit environmental group.

"The benefit that comes out of this type of program helps fund programs such as what Tampa Bay Watch does in habitat restoration," said Dennis Kellenberger with Tampa Bay Watch.

Local artists will be matched up with each sponsored fish. St. Petersburg artist Silas Beach has been part of these outdoor art projects before, and he was the first to take part in this one. His tarpon will look different than his typical pieces.

"I wanted to get away from my standard colors," he said. "I do a lot of sunset style with my gradients in oranges and yellows and stuff like that."

His tarpon is sponsored by Radfins restaurant on Madiera Beach, but not every fish will be painted by a professional.

"You have very well known famous artists, like Silas Beach, but you also have a lot of students and children that will participate as well," Goulde said. "That's one of the things we really strive for."

The fish will be displayed from June 2010 to November 2011.