CHR calls first Manatee Madness a success
Transformed by 18 local artists into works of art for Community Housing & Resources’ Manatee Madness fundraiser, the colorful sculptures adorned Sanibel for months and thousands of residents and visitors enjoyed taking photographs with them to show support for on-island affordable housing.
“This fundraiser was developed as a way to continue to support CHR in a safe environment due to the pandemic,” Executive Director Melissa Rice said. “But it ended up being the best and most exciting fundraiser we’ve ever had for CHR. We could not be happier with the amazing support we received from our local residents, artists and visitors alike.”
“When we first delivered our manatees to the artists in September, we couldn’t imagine the creativity we were about to witness,” event co-chair Laura DeBruce added. “Each artist brought something new and special to the project, and we were completely amazed by the themes they came up with and the way they presented them in support of CHR. We are so grateful for the time and effort they put in to help us make this fundraiser unique and successful.”
On April 15, all of the manatees were auctioned off as the fundraiser closed during the “Drinks with Josh” Facebook Live show with Adventures In Paradise Outfitters. A few winning bidders took part in the show, along with some artists, to discuss why they were motivated to buy one and support CHR.
“I purchased the stunning ‘Manatee Mer’ created by artist Ginny Dickinson in honor of my late husband, Travis Miller, who passed away in October of 2020. He was known throughout the country for his love of affordable housing as a developer and a builder in Louisiana,” Billie Lou Miller of Shreveport, Louisiana, who owns a home on Sanibel, said. “Thank you, Travis, I love you.”
“She caught my eye — I loved her right off the bat,” Miller said of the sculpture. “I mean you can make a gold coin, but a shell, a creature of God, it’s beautiful, nobody can recreate that.”
Artist Rena Martinson’s “Sea Clover” was bought by a friend, Crystal Smith.
“I’ve always loved Rena’s style, and when I saw that she was doing this for CHR I wanted to own ‘Sea Clover’ so badly,” Smith said. “We just purchased a house on Captiva with a big front porch, so she is going to be on our front porch to greet all who come to visit us.”
One of the artists on the show was Taryn Manning, who created “Mythical Mermaid.”
“I was inspired by the legend of sailors spotting manatees and thinking they were mermaids,” she said. “And then I decided to model her mailbox after the Kindred Spirit Mailbox in North Carolina, which was the inspiration for a Nicolas Sparks novel where people write letters and post their intimate thoughts and secrets. As a calligrapher, I thought this was the perfect combination.”
Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith and husband Jason won Marianne Ravenna’s “Fleur De L’ile,” deciding later to rename the manatee “Fleur de ‘Lou'” in honor of her mother, whose name was Mary Lou.
“My mom was an avid gardener,” she said. “This manatee made me smile every time I saw her, so we just had to have her. What a wonderful and creative way to be able to support affordable housing on Sanibel and honor our burgeoning local art community. As mayor I am constantly reminded of how supportive our community continues to be.”
A small sculpture, called “Baby Manee,” traveled to each CHR Give Back Wednesday event to raise awareness for the fundraiser and mission to raise needed funds for affordable housing. Created by artists Tim Finfrock and Melinda Maugans, it was eventually won by Miller following a bidding war.
“Because of the generosity of our entire community, we were able to reach our goal this year,” fundraiser co-chair Arlene Dillon said. “There is something magical about Sanibel you see every day with beautiful weather, scenery, flora and fauna, but the real secret to our very special island is the people who live here and support the community they call home.”