artsHOP 2105 Project Brings Awareness and Support to Sea Turtle Program

The Bridge Street Merchant’s Association has commissioned fifty local artists to create one-­of-­a-­kind works of art on three-­foot turtle-­shaped boards as part of the upcoming artsHOP 2015 cultural celebration. The fifty turtle creations will be available by auction and will be displayed along Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach from November 1­ through November 15.

Seven major events comprise the ninth annual artsHOP weekend which opens Friday night with The Artwalk, and concludes Sunday with the Bridge Street Artwalk, Taste Of Bridge Street, and the annual opening of Bridge Street’s seasonal outdoor market. The free community event spans Anna Maria Island’s three cities of Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and the City of Anna Maria.

This year’s turtle theme was broadened by the graphic usage of “Herman The Turtle”, a pastel by local artist Pauline Peiler, currently on display at the Anna Maria Island Artists’ Guild. Peiler’s turtle also inspired art, wildlife and nature lovers Crit, Adele & Greta Holland of Anna Maria to underwrite a campaign to help raise money to help live sea turtles.

Help a Turtle

The “Help A Turtle” campaign will take place during the artsHOP 2015 weekend, November 13-­15. One-­hundred percent of the campaign collections will be donated to Mote Marine’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program to purchase nesting stakes which protect the nests from human impact, and allow Mote volunteers and staff to monitor nests to give researchers a better understanding of the species and of each individual nest.

Look for “Herman The Turtle” donation jars at participating locations across Anna Maria Island during the artsHOP 2015. Donations of any amount will receive an “I Helped A Turtle Today” sticker and are tax deductible.

For more information, visit Island artsHOP and Visit Bridge Street. We're looking forward to seeing you there!