Taking the Turtle Trail

1. “Claude” PCAF Palm Coast Town Center 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast 2. “Tiff” Long Creek Nature Preserve 1050 Palm Harbor Pkwy., Palm Coast 3. “Marc-Sea” Grand Haven Residential Comm. 2001 Waterside Pkwy., Palm Coast 4. “Pablo” Old Kings Elementary School 301 Old Kings Rd. S, Flagler Beach 5. “Nadia” Palm Coast City Hall 160 Lake Ave., Palm Coast 6. “Quilty” Corner of Waterfront Park Dr. & Colbert Ln., Palm Coast 7. “Garfield” Palm Coast Historical Society 18 Florida Park Dr. N., Palm Coast 8. “Bessie” Flagler Beach Historical Museum 207 S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach 9. “Vincent” Palm Coast Community Center 305 Palm Coast Pkwy., NE Palm Coast 10. “Nancy Marie” Palm Harbor Golf Club 20 Palm Harbor Dr., Palm Coast 11. “Winged Victory” Kim C. Hammond Justice Ctr. 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 1 Bunnell 12. “Journey” Flagler County Gov. Services Bdg. 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2 Bunnell 13. “Alice” Flagler County Public Library 2500 Palm Coast Pkwy. NW., Palm Coast 14. “Beverly” Beverly Beach Town Hall 2735 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach 15. “Norman” Flagler County Health Dept. 301 Dr. Carter Blvd., Bunnell 16. “Louis” Beach Haven Community 25 Beach Haven Way, Palm Coast 17. “Jules” Mala Campra Park 115 Mala Campra Road Palm Coast 18. “SEE” Tomoka Eye Associates 21 Hospital Dr., # 160 Palm Coast

Winged Victory Taking the Turtle Trail

Where in Flagler County can you find a Monet, Tiffany, Degas, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Chagall? On the public art TURTLE TRAIL! Featured on the Flagler County Tourism website (VisitFlagler.com), eighteen turtles painted by local artists are dotted throughout the community highlighting important historical artists or themes significant to our coastline.

The latest addition (Turtle #18) boasts an underwater sea theme specially commissioned by Tomoka Eye & Associates by blind artist John Bramblitt of Denton, TX. It was created for Tomoka’s 50th anniversary celebration. John took part in the dedication, discussing how as a blind artist, he sees color in ways which alter their texture. He was gracious to conduct two workshops following the turtle dedication for the students at the Conklin Davis School for Visually Impaired.

Why turtles? After extensive research and discussion, it was apparent that the loggerhead turtle, indigenous to our community, would offer residents and guests an opportunity to highlight the importance of these near endangered species. These life-size sculptures educate the public on the significance of the art of iconic artists who helped shape the various art movements reminding us how fragile our turtle population has become.

The turtles are sponsored by various organizations, businesses, and individuals wishing to promote art and culture using these sometimes, whimsical sculptures as a beautiful backdrop of a designated site. Artists are asked to develop a concept based on an idea or theme of the sponsor. Each turtle takes 6-8 months from order date to installation and dedication. There is no shortage of artists capable and willing to take the challenge of painting on this untraditional surface.

A bronze plaque installed at the time of dedication allows the viewer to learn a fact about the loggerhead turtle, the historical artist which may be replicated, or the significance of the theme and concept chosen by the sponsor. The sponsor and the artist are both prominent on the plaque along with the given name of the turtle.

Area artists participating on the Turtle Trail include Erik and Helen Bess, Paul Beaulieu, Tom Anastasio, Bob Teller, Andy Sovia, JJ Graham, AJ Barr, Christine Broussard, Bettie Eubanks, Chance Hancotte, Janice Jackson, Bob Ammon, and Stewart Maxcy. Our Picasso turtle was a collaborative effort between Old Kings Elementary School and Flagler Palm Coast High School. The art clubs of these two schools worked together to determine their historical artist to feature along with the concept. The FPC high school students took a year to complete PABLO who now rests outside Old Kings Elementary School which happens to be the marine sciences flagship school for the County.

Watch for news of four upcoming turtles in the coming year. Artists Judi Wormeck and Lisa Fisher are collaborating on GUSTAV, our Klimt turtle which will be #19.

Public art is an important asset to communities. Embrace it, enjoy it, and learn from it.

Source: Nancy Crouch, Palm Coast Arts Foundation