BIG ARTS “Causeway Panther”

Salvaged rebar from the Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian has been transformed at BIG ARTS on Sanibel into a mystical metal sculpture that reflects artist Wendy Klemperer’s deep love of animals.

BIG ARTS explained that “Causeway Panther” stands as an expression of the resilience of the island community. An 8-foot-long piece of grace and movement that is a testimony to the transformational power of the arts, it was put in the wooded area in front of BIG ARTS waiting for a permanent home.

Inspired by the sculpture’s message of resilience and transformation, David and Jackie Lurio recently made it possible for “Causeway Panther” to become part of the permanent collection at BIG ARTS.

“When we thought about it, my wife Jackie and I realized that so many more people for years to come would be able to see this beautiful expression of the island’s resilience if we made it possible for the Causeway Panther to have a permanent home at BIG ARTS,” David Lurio said. “We didn’t want it to cross the causeway and go off the island.”

BIG ARTS Gallery Director Wilson McCray personally retrieved the rebar from the causeway debris knowing that his artist colleague could reimage the twisted metal to create a powerful sculpture.

“The scope of this act of generosity is so far reaching. It creates a home for Causeway Panther. It will sustain the metaphor of resilience, it will keep the memory of our trials, our losses and our survival alive. It will evoke the experience for all our community and visitors alike — that it’s true, with vision and skill, we can take the remains of a terrible disaster and create such beauty,” he said. “We can recover. This is a message for generations to come.”

BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.