A Dolphin's Promise
Click to enlarge "Glory"
A Dolphin's Promise is a non-profit Virginia Beach based sculpture project. The goals of the project are to raise funds for Cancer Research, through the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program. The Lance Armstrong Foundation will receive 95% of the proceeds with the balance going to Virginia Aquarium. This will be achieved by obtaining sponsorships of the life sized dolphin sculptures, each unqiuely decorated by local artists, to be placed throughout the City of Virginia Beach on public and private property.
This is a two year project in full partnership with the City and endorsed by The Lance Armstrong Foundation and The Virginia Beach Foundation. The project is spearheaded by Cindy Graf, an artist/photographer who lives in Sandbridge, as a tribute to her mother who died of cancer. Ms. Graf, the board of directors and all volunteers are non-paid.
The financial goal of the project is to raise $1 million. This will be achieved through the sponsorship of the dolphins and the sale of promotional items.
The life sized dolphin sculptures will be constructed of high quality fiberglass and be impervious to inclement weather conditions. They will securely fixed to a stainless steel rod that will be secured to a concrete base implanted in the ground. A plaque acknowledging the sponsor and the artist will be affixed to the base of each dolphin. Those dolphins displayed on City property will become property of the City in perpetuity and will be displayed for a minimum of two years. At the conclusion of that period the City has the option of continuing the project. If the City chooses to terminate the project it is hoped that the dolphins will be returned to their sponsors for final disposition.
Sponsors will be provided with a list of talented artists to create designs for their dolphin. Since the dolphins will serve as symbols of hope, healing, and joy, the designs should make visitors smile and feel good to be among the dolphins. Accordingly, the sponsor should encourage innovation so that their dolphin can stand out from the pod, bringing recognition and acclaim to the sponsoring organization. All designs, regardless of where they are displayed, will be approved by an independent committee established by the City's Department of Museums and Cultural Arts. The designs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to insure they meet the standards set forth by the Arts and Humanities Commission.