Public Art Project to be in Place for RNC

The pod is forming.

Twenty fiberglass dolphin sculptures are being fabricated. And soon local artists will use them as a canvas.

Clearwater's Dolphins, a public art project — similar to the Tour of Turtles about 10 years ago, which also involved influential modern artist Peter Max — will ride the wave of Winter the Dolphin.

The finished, painted dolphin sculptures will be on display from Aug. 6 to Sept. 4 at Pier 60 Park during the Republican National Convention. Each sculpture is 6 feet tall.

The convention is expected to bring about 50,000 visitors to the Tampa Bay area. Some of the and resorts during the convention, which is Aug. 27-30.

The city is calling for artists to design the dolphins.

All artists, art teams, art classes and community organizations can participate in the exhibit. Artist applications will be judged by a panel of artists, arts professionals and community members. Artists selected to participate will be paired with a dolphin sponsor to create a unique design.  

There is an artist honorarium of $500 for each approved dolphin design selected for exhibition. Artists are responsible for providing their own decoration materials, for picking up their dolphin from the storage location provided by the event organizers, and for dropping off their completed artwork for exhibition.

Artist applications are due by 5 p.m. June 20. Call-to-artist materials are available from Christopher Hubbard, the city's cultural affairs specialist. Call 727-562-4837 or email christopher.hubbard@myclearwater.com.

Sponsors also are needed for the dolphins. Sponsorships start at $2,000.