A Dolphin’s Promise is an art exhibit with a difference: The canvas is a life-sized fiberglass dolphin. These amazing dolphins will appear in pods across the city of Virginia Beach. You are invited to join the Pod…Artists, crafters, designers, architects and art student-either individually, as a group or as a formal organization (hereto after referred to as the applicant) Are invited to enter designs for Dolphins.
All designs submitted are viewed by sponsors who select the design they wish to have applied to their dolphin. Successful applicants are then commissioned to create their design on a dolphin. These special dolphins will join the official Pod and be exhibited throughout the city of Virginia Beach.
Applicants may enter as many designs as they wish (download the Artist application to submit your designs ). The intention is to celebrate our extraordinary city. Our dolphins Should serve as symbols of hope, healing and joy. Create designs that make people laugh smile and feel good about being among the Dolphins. That’s what “A Dolphin’s Promise” is all about. The applicant is encouraged to paint, sculpt, transform, decorate, and adorn the dolphins as he or she wishes. Please keep in mind that the structural integrity of the dolphin must not be compromised. Sponsors are looking for innovation, Dolphins that will stand out from the Pod and be acclaimed as creative and unique.
Dolphins will be placed in areas fully accessible to the public. Most of the dolphins will be located outdoors in public spaces, possibly without any covering. No guarantee can be given to locate a dolphin indoors or under shelter. In creating a design and selecting materials, please consider carefully the effects of the weather on your design: it should withstand the elements and require only minimal maintenance.
A “Dolphin’s Promise” is an interactive event that allows the public to touch and feel designs. Designs should be created with durability and public safety concerns in mind. Although objects may be attached to the dolphins, applicants should be aware that vandalism can and unfortunately does occur. Any object added to a dolphin should be done in such a way that it cannot be easily removed. Thus, all additions must be able to withstand a reasonable amount of force imposed upon them. We would highly discourage additions made of paper mache, plastic or cloth. We have found that exterior acrylic house paint holds up the best on fiberglass forms. High quality artist’s acrylics, oils and enamels can also be used. An exterior grade of sealer that is non-reactive, non-toxic, UV-resistant and waterproof is strongly recommended. A minimum of two costs of varnish is required. Neither corporate logos nor direct advertising is allowed to appear on the Dolphins. Designs that are religious, political or sexual in nature will not be accepted. A review panel set up by “A Dolphin’s Promise” has sole discretion to accept or reject any design submitted. All designs submitted will be reviewed and approved by members of the “VBAHC” and the “PAC”.
