It’s not every day someone gets to paint a loggerhead turtle.
But that's about to change as Nancy Crouch, executive director for the Palm Coast Arts Foundation, is spearheading a way to help brand Flagler County while raising funds for the nonprofit organization — by painting turtles.
Don't worry. These massive manufactured creations are part of an initiative to provide local artists with an outlet for their creative talents based on the work of famous artists and sponsored by local businesses or philanthropists interested in supporting the arts foundation.
The first “canvas” — a loggerhead named "Claude" after the artist Claude Monet — was picked up recently by artists Paul Beaulieu and Tom Anastasio for the commissioned work to begin.
“We’re about to launch a major community sculpture project in the county and our first prototype is Claude,” said Crouch. “We’re hoping many of the local businesses will come together and purchase the turtles to sprout up in front of their businesses, public trailheads, parks, all over the place.”
Claude will have a permanent home in a rock bed prepared and awaiting his arrival directly in front of the foundation’s main stage on the grounds in Palm Coast's Town Center, will be unveiled in April during the annual Picnic & Pops event, according to Crouch.
A plaque containing a brief synopsis will provide an educational component about the historic artist featured in the work, along with the artist of today lending their talents to the project, and the sponsor.
Created in Nebraska, the turtles are costly — the foundation spent $1,300 on Claude, which does not include the artist’s time or the installation.
“This is our first prototype so we’re waiting, from soup to nuts, to make sure we have all of the expenses wrapped in,” said Crouch. “Parkside Realty bought this turtle for the Palm Coast Arts Foundation.”
A call for artists will be going out for those interested in the project to match them with potential sponsors so that each turtle can be customized with unique flair.
Tech Talk Studios founder Andy Barr, whose professional career included working at Apple for more than a decade, was the inspiration behind the project according to Crouch.
“She brought it to us and said it would help brand PCAF in the community and we agreed," Crouch said. "We took all of her information and she’s helping us along the way here, so she gets a lot of credit for this.
“It’s fantastic (to do something different) because it’s a real community effort.”
Mirroring branding initiatives in other Florida communities like St. Augustine, Lakeland, Ocala, Clearwater, Crouch is hoping the multifaceted initiative will create a memorable experience for visitors.
“I’ve had a number of meetings with the city (of Palm Coast) and the (Flagler) county and we’re hoping at some point, when we have a number of these turtles placed in the community, we will work with the TDC (Tourist Development Council) in creating a map or parade of turtles," she said. "When you have 10 to 15, it will be kind of fun to go out and find them.
“I think people will come here and they’ll remember the turtles.”