And_they_said_we_couldnt_do

And They Said We Couldn’t do It

n a brainstorm meeting June 2000, Marcy Fryday and I, in association with the Seabrook Merchant and Tourist Association, agreed that Seabrook needed some project to boost citizen and business enthusiasm as well as attract visitors and tourists. We agreed this project had to create an identity for the City of Seabrook. When seeing just how much other public art “critter” projects had been successful in other communities, we said why not! The Pelican was the perfect choice as we are home to hundreds of brown pelicans throughout the year, and the beautiful white pelicans that migrate from Northern America and Canada during fall and winter months of September through April. We must tell you that many people looked at both of us and said, ”There is no way you will be able to complete such a large project.” That is one way to get two type A, aggressive girls motivated!

In March 2001, the 6' and 8' larger-than-life pelicans began to show up on the streets of Seabrook. Some are whimsical; others focus on Seabrook as a bird sanctuary, while others represent regional attractions, sports, and the beauty of the area.

We have been so excited with the community support, large sponsor support, and incredible interest both locally, regionally, and nationally.

There have been sudden sightings, and there have been ribbon cuttings to celebrate the unveiling. Each new Pelican attracts attention, and children and families are seen being photographed as the pelicans reach their landing point.

To date there are approximately 31 pelicans on display and when the project is complete there may be as many as 40. Our Pelican Ambassador, Sailing into Seabrook, has spent the summer at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo as part of their City Critter Project. The City of Chicago brought 40 critters from 40 different cities to participate in this national promotion of public art. Our Ambassador Pelican’s next destination is Beaufort, South Carolina, where it will represent the City of Seabrook through February 2002. Locally there are Pelican Path Maps located in area businesses and other spots throughout Seabrook. There will even be maps distributed in Sulphur, Louisiana, at Cajun Charlie’s Restaurant where beginning in October, Flight over Seabrook will be displayed.

We will tell you there were learning curves and challenges at each bend in the road of this project, and sometimes we shook our heads and said, “what have we gotten ourselves into” ! We both just looked at each other, laughed and said we will persevere, and the Pelican Path Project will succeed! Both of us want to give a special thanks to the WACOW committee in Waco, and Bob Batcher in Norfolk Virginia. These individuals were so helpful in sharing some of their challenges as well as to advise us on areas to help us stay on the right track.

There were many times when all we could do was sit down and laugh. One day we received a call from City Hall that a resident looked out her window and had a strange 6-foot dinosaur creature in her driveway. One of the artists had delivered their pelican to the wrong location, and this woman was totally surprised when she looked out her window while doing dishes! Then there was the time when on a Sunday night we contacted a sponsor, Lance Stephens, owner of the Turtle Club Bar & Restaurant, and asked him what had he done with Scuba Pelican. Lance assumed we were teasing. Well, obviously after much fun and a bit of over consuming, a couple of his customers thought they should see if Scuba Peli could really scuba

dive at a local hotel pool. Fortunately Scuba did not drown, and is now back on his perch!

These magnificent Pelicans will remain on display in Seabrook for some time, and we are hoping that this project will encourage other cultural arts and public art projects in our fine city.

Cheri Smith
Marcy Fryday


[Links: Birthing Of The Pelicans \| They Said We Couldn’t do It \| Pelican Path Project Book]

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