Turtle Trail 2008


  APYC is proud to sponsor Christi Mathews' painted sculpture to be auctioned at Turtle Trail 2008. Details of the fundraiser are below along with pictures of several of the turtles auctioned in 2006. Sponsors purchase the blank turtle and pay the artist for their work. Artists from this area and as far as France and Bermuda are working on the turtle art.

  The first "Hatching" of painted turtles for this year's fundraiser will take place on Friday, March 28th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Mathews Studio and Gallery in Aransas Pass. As the sponsor of Christi's creation, we will host this reception and also be mentioned in all publicity and promotion surrounding the event in November. We are proud to be involved is this very worthwhile community event.

  We are requesting that members attend as well as help us with the reception on the 28th. If you would like to contribute beverages and/or snack items/appetizers to be served as refreshments, please contact Rebekah Fedrick at 361-758-4015 as soon as possible. You'll be amazed at the beautiful creations, and we hope you will lend your support to this event.

  In September 2006, a fund raiser was created for the endangered Kemp's Ridley Turtle called Turtle Trail 2006. Inspired by the Chicago Cows, Bears in Lake Tahoe and Dolphins in Corpus Christi, painted aluminum turtles were the art objects that were sold for the benefit of the Kemp's Ridley Recovery Program at the Padre Island National Seashore. Forty seven turtles were auctioned the next April and 100% of the proceeds, over $49,000, went to the Recovery Project.

  Turtle Trail 2008 will benefit the Port Aransas Animal Rehabilitation Keep, or more commonly known as The ARK. The ARK is well known for their tireless efforts to save injured sea turtles, seabirds and the occasional dolphin, as well as research for their well being. Friends of the ARK is a tax exempt, non-profit corporation, organized exclusively for the prevention of cruelty to animals. It's primary purpose is to raise funds for the rescue of injured, sick and abused wildlife that will be rehabilitated, maintained at The ARK, and released back to their natural wildlife habitat or other licensed facility. Members of the organization are looking forward to working with Kris on this new adventure! The goal of Turtle Trail 2008 will be to have 40 sculptures at auction in the late fall of 2008.