A Whale of a Lighthouse -- A Stamford Man's Entry in Lighthouse Competition

A Stamford man’s white-whale of a lighthouse is vying to win the $1,500 grand prize is vying for the $1,500 grand prize in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s 14th annual “Festival of Lighthouses Contest.”

“Moby” by David Bishop is among the 22 creative handmade entries in the holiday display, that is open daily through Jan. 18.

The lighthouse contest works like a juried art show except that thousands of Maritime Aquarium visitors are the jury. Visitors can follow the homemade beacons through the galleries and cast a vote for their favorite. The lighthouse that gets the most votes wins $1,500. There also are cash awards for five runners-up.

Viewing the lighthouse display – and casting a vote – is free with Aquarium admission.

This year’s 22 lighthouses were built by local artists looking for a challenge, by hobbyists with a vision and by students fulfilling a school assignment. Some lighthouses are modeled after actual lighthouses; others are wildly whimsical.

“We’re as excited as anyone to see and display this year’s entries,” Thomas Frankie, the Aquarium’s exhibits director, said in a statement. “We’re always amazed and honored by the thought, design and effort that our contestants put into these lighthouses, which add a festive glow to the Aquarium throughout the holidays.”

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Rules of the “Festival of Lighthouses Contest” are kept to a minimum to allow for maximum creativity. Lighthouses must be 3 to 6 feet tall and have a working light, and may not include animal remains, such as shells. Beyond that, it’s up to the creators’ imaginations.

Bishop is looking for his third win, after claiming the most votes in 2012 and 2013. He finished second last year. His entry this year, “Moby,” depicts a white sperm whale bursting vertically out of the sea and snapping a wooden lighthouse in half in its toothy mouth. The lighthouse glows red in its final moment.

Lighthouses in the 2015 contest are made out of everything from wood, paper and stone to playing cards, candies, fairy figures and paper cupcake liners.

Besides the contest’s $1,500 top award, other prizes are: $750 for second place, $375 for third; $300 for fourth; $225 for fifth; and $150 for sixth. Winners will be announced at an evening reception on Jan. 21.

The 2015 “Festival of Lighthouses Contest” is free with Maritime Aquarium general admission, which is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for youths (13-17) and seniors (65+), and $12.95 for children ages 3-12.

For more details about Maritime Aquarium exhibits, IMAX® movies and programs, call 203-852-0700 or go online to www.maritimeaquarium.org.

Contributed photo.