By Lee Ann Leonard
Pier Park’s latest area artist collaboration is just getting started. The mall selected local artist David Hansel to restore and reimagine the sea turtle fountains that grace its food court and the seat wall in front of Auntie Anne’s. The Pier Park team charged the artist with painting each of the four concrete turtles in a different theme and color scheme. The team also asked Hansel to transform the seat wall by painting it with a mural that would tie in with the turtles and the center’s other sea life-themed installations. Those installations include the complex’s history-making and award-winning breezeway mural featuring marine life and the seahorse statue that was part of the City of Panama City Beach’s SeeLife 2 public art project.
With the theme in mind, Pier Park identified the perfect community partner to bring this aquatic art to life—the Gulf World Marine Institute. The institute is partially funding the transformation, and its contribution will be lauded on the five bronze plaques surrounding the creations. Additionally, the mall team will donate coins collected from the turtle fountains to the marine mammal and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit.
“We’re excited to be involved in an effort that supports local art and enables us to continue our mission to educate the public about marine life and the importance of protecting it,” commented Gulf World Marine Institute Board Vice President Pam George.
Pier Park management selected Panama City artist David Hansel for the project after seeing his work on the Gulf Place Community Area concrete turtles and the undersea mural recently completed for Splash Resort. Hansel, a self-taught artist, is known for his vivid colors and beach themes. The award winner has painted everything from guitars to surfboards and enjoys teaching tie-dye workshops. To learn more about Hansel and his work, visit https://www.davidjhansel.com/.
The center expects the projects to be completed by late October. You can follow the project’s progress on Facebook (/ShopPierPark) and Instagram (@PierPark).
