A very exciting project came to Chatham in the spring 2006! The Whale Trail
is a major public arts and tourism event which made its debut in
southeastern Connecticut during the summer of 2005.
The Cape & Islands Whale Trail was modeled after the trail
in southeastern Connecticut, which featured 50 creative, unique
whale sculptures at locations throughout the Southern New England
area. The exhibit, on display throughout last summer, garnered
significant local and national media attention from television,
radio and print outlets from across the country. The popular exhibit
enticed thousands of residents and visitors to go “whale
watching,” many of whom followed the entire Trail, making
stops along the way at local shops, attractions and restaurants.
A local Advisory Board has been formed (with the Creative Arts
Center in Chatham as the presenting sponsor) and activities are
underway to identify sponsors for each of the whales. The board’s
goal is for about 100 of these decorated whales to be installed
in various locations throughout the Cape and Islands. The unveiling was in mid-May and they will stay up through the end of September.
IFAW has just come on board as a major sponsor, and Pierce-Cote
Advertising of Osterville is taking the lead to generate publicity
and excitement during the coming weeks.
Local businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to
sponsor one or more of the 6’ fiberglass whales. Sponsors
are identified on each whale with a permanent plaque. The sponsor
selects a location to display the whale during the event and names
a local non-profit group to benefit from the sale of their whale
at a Gala Live Auction event on the Cape in late September. Each
whale is painted by a local artist.
Click here for a PDF
with Whale
Trail sonsorship information.
Update- March 18, 2006
This summer’s public
art event, the Cape and Islands Whale Trail, has begun with the
arrival of the first of the creative, colorful whale sculptures.
Five whales have arrived to pave the way for dozens and dozens
of whales that will take up residence around the Cape and Islands
for the summer.
Throughout the summer, visitors to the area will follow maps on
a scavenger hunt of sorts, thrilling to the discovery of a new
whale sculpture. It might be a “Whale-vis Presley” with
rhinestones and sideburns, or maybe a whale painted to resemble
a mermaid with a beach ball. Whatever whale they discover, they’ll
see a new artistic expression encouraging them to extend their
visit to the Cape and Islands a little bit longer.
At the end of the summer, all of the whales will say goodbye to
their summer homes and will be auctioned off to benefit the local
charity chosen by its sponsor. To become a sponsor or to get more
information, visit www.capeandislandswhaletrail.com or call 508-744-6780.
Update- July 29, 2006
Cape & Islands Whale Trail Auction- The Cape & Islands Whale Trail, the summer-long exhibit of 58 whale sculptures on display in Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, is in full swing, but after Labor Day Weekend the whales will leave to be manicured and in full glam for the “All’s Well That Ends Whale” Auction and Gala in September.
So now is the time to find your favorite whale! Love him, own him, and take him home with you. Pre-bidding, along with additional info, for the auction is taking place online from July 19 to September 20 at www.CapeandIslandsWhaleTrail.com. Ninety percent of the proceeds from each whale will benefit non-profit and charitable organizations. The remaining 10 percent will go back to the talented local artists that created them.
Then, save the date for the live Auction and Gala on September 23rd at the Four Points by Sheraton Hyannis Resort at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP or for general auction information, including a complete listing of the whales and information about non-profit beneficiaries, please visit www.CapeandIslandsWhaleTrail.com or call 508-744-6780 or 800-291-7720.
