Tarpon art: TBOD gets in on art with a cause

By Virginia Johnson, Entertainment Host/ Reporter
Last Updated:

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Outdoor Arts Foundation hopes to raised environmental awareness through public art
More than 40 tarpons will appear in the Bay area begining in March
The program is called "Fins Across Florida," and the foundation is hoping to place fish throughout Florida
Business and Private Sponsorships help raise money for non-profit environmental groups. like Tampa Bay Watch

CLEARWATER --

It took two months to create the mosaic Tampa Tarpon: Sunny Side Up. And today, grouting--one of the final steps, begins. Irene Christou is one of dozens of Bay area artists commissioned to create a work of art with a fiberglass tarpon.

It's for a program called "Fins Across Florida," sponsored by the Outdoor Arts Foundation. The foundation's mission is to help raise awareness of Florida's precious ecosystem and to raise money for non-profit groups like Tampa Bay Watch.

You may remember the same groups did similar work with fiberglass turtles and manatees.

"Fins Across Florida" is the Outdoor Arts Foundations' first statewide effort, according to Executive Director Jay Goulde.

For Irene, it's a chance to show her work to a larger audience.

"I can even put words to it -- it's awesome that my artwork is going to be out for other people to see."

The Project will launch in March of 2011, in places like Tampa's Westshore Mall and Tampa International Airport.

Goulde is hoping to launch other fish in other cities. So look for pompano in Pompano Beach next year!

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