'Winter' Goes to Washington

A public art project that began as a way to create a buzz about Clearwater in time for the 2012 Republican National Convention has reached new heights in recent days.

The first-ever Clearwater Dolphin sculpture to leave the state has arrived in the Washington, D.C., office of Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly.

The 6-foot-tall bottlenose dolphin sculpture dubbed “Winter Goes to Washington” was delivered to Jolly’s office on Capitol Hill Tuesday. It now joins more than 100 other similar fiberglass sculptures on the Dolphin Trail.

The trail is designed to promote Clearwater around the state, and now beyond. It features more than 100 dolphin sculptures that are on display at such locations as local businesses, homes, ball fields and the four official state highway welcome centers. Arts lovers who wish to see some of the sculptures on display will find an online Dolphin Trail map that points out their locations.

Mayor George N. Cretekos was on hand for the Washington unveiling that was sponsored by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, the city and Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring a piece of Pinellas County and Clearwater to our nation’s capital, introducing visitors to our D.C. office to the extraordinary tale of Winter and the work and mission of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium; that of marine life rescue, rehabilitation and release,” Jolly was quoted in a media release about the unveiling as saying.

“The magnitude of stakeholders involved in this project is tremendous – over 100 dolphin owners, over 100 commissioned local artists and millions who enjoy seeing and photographing the dolphins,” Bob Clifford, chamber president, was quoted in the release as saying.

The dolphins are inspired by Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s famed residents Winter, Hope and Nicholas.

Winter, the famed dolphin with a prosthetic tail, has been the subject of two movies in the story “Dolphin Tale.”

“Winter has become an inspiration for millions around the world,” David Yates, the aquarium’s CEO stated. “We are pleased to have her sculpture in Congressman Jolly’s office, representing Clearwater Marine Aquarium along with the sentiment of peace and hope that Winter spreads to so many.”

Extending the trail to Washington is a big milestone for Clearwater in its centennial year, Cretekos pointed out.

“As Clearwater celebrates its 100th anniversary, we thank Rep. Jolly for bringing the Dolphin Trail to Washington,” he was quoted as saying. “Just as Winter’s story has resonated with our residents and throughout the state of Florida, Rep. Jolly’s efforts will help inspire not only his constituents, but all visitors to the Capitol.”

“Winter Goes to Washington” was painted by artist Robert Daltry, who also drove the sculpture the 950 miles for its Tuesday unveiling.

To see the locations of the dolphins along the trail, visit the public art project’s map online.

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