San Diego, CA (PRWEB) July 03, 2012
The Outdoor Arts Foundation announced today that it has acquired a large-scale, free-standing Elephant sculpture that was featured at the 1996 GOP Convention in San Diego. The Elephant was purchased for an undisclosed amount from a private collector in the San Diego area who purchased the sculpture shortly after the ’96 Convention.
Craters & Freighters Franchise Company (located at 331 Corporate Drive, Golden, CO) is donating the cost of crating and shipping the elephant from Craters & Freighters of San Diego to Tampa, Florida. After arriving in Florida, Craters & Freighters of Tampa will deliver the elephant to where it’s scheduled to appear during the Republican National Convention. Craters & Freighters Franchise Company is also donating the cost of shipping the Elephant from Tampa to a winner of a silent auction during the RNC.
On Friday, July 6th, Craters & Freighters (located at 6500 Federal Boulevard) will be loading the Elephant on a truck, bound for Florida where it will be featured in the Foundation’s “Herd About Tampa Bay” community art project. The project is collaboration between OAF and the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention that will feature 4’ x 4’ fiberglass Elephant sculptures that have been sponsored by area businesses and painted by local artists.
The San Diego Elephant will be exhibited in the lobby of the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina which is located directly behind the Tampa Bay Times Forum, home to the 2012 RNC. According to Foundation Executive Director Jay Goulde “It is a privilege that we have been fortunate enough to acquire this piece of San Diego and GOP Convention history. The Elephant will have a wonderful new home here in the Tampa Bay area.”
This latest endeavor is the fourth fiberglass animal project the Foundation has executed in the last 12 years. Past projects have featured Loggerhead Sea Turtles, West Indian Manatees and Tarpon. Goulde is hopeful that numerous of the small Elephants and a couple of large Elephants will be on display during the 2012 Republican National Convention in August. “This is a great way to showcase the artistic abilities of our local artists while the Tampa Bay area is in the national spotlight,” Goulde said.
Matt Wilkinson of Craters & Freighters anticipates the Elephant’s 2,430 mile journey to take about five days. “This is not the strangest thing we’ve shipped but it is quite unique. It’s always an honor to help non-profit organizations and with something so historic, this is very exciting,” said Wilkinson of the shipment.
For more information regarding “Herd About Tampa Bay” or to sponsor an Elephant please call Jay Goulde at (727) 954-4025 or email him at [email protected].