Artists are not limited to the fiberglass form of Beaufort's Big Swim. Pick your medium, and tell us about it.

Your art can be included in a gallery show, or officially licensed for sale. For example, the beautiful stained glass window, above, was created by April Whitt
All the mermaids are done and out, but here's how it happened:
These blank, fully life-sized, hollow fiberglass Mermaids need art: paint, glass tiles, plastic veneers, metal sheaths, shell skins, palm frond headdresses, cutting and re-assemblages, tentacle-graftings, accessories. Read about working with fiberglass here.

Mermaids will entice people to walk through our neighborhoods, to drive around the city (and beyond), and even to drive across the country to be in their presence.

Let your imagination swim. Let your creativity and sense of fun flow in your proposal. Designs must be for public viewing, and design proposals will be reviewed by the Arts Council Mermaid Committee.

Artists will be recognized on the individual plaques, print material, and websites, and will also receive two tickets to the Mermaid auctions. Artists whose designs are accepted will be “Certified Mermaid Artists” after attending a free workshop to review weather- and people-proofing, de- and re-assembling techniques, and add-on techniques. The Mermaids will be sponsored by individuals and organizations, and then auctioned to benefit the Arts Council of Beaufort County and Beaufort's Public Art Commission.

To submit a proposal, please fill out an application (downloadable below), which includes a sketch of your design using the Mermaid template, and attach a $25 submission fee, which includes a 1-year Arts Council membership (or renewal if already a member.)

FAQ’s
Q:  What is the benefit of being officially licensed?
A: 1) Use of the copyrighted mermaid form; 2)  the ability to market your product as “officially licensed;” and 3) guaranteed wholesale sales at the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center.

Q:  Other than the Visitor’s Center where else will the product be sold?
A:  You can approach any other retail venues in Beaufort County to sell your officially licensed product.  Other retailers should ensure that the sale price of the item is the same as the sale price at the Visitor’s Center and other retail venues.

Q:  How can I estimate how much product to make?
A:  Once your product has been approved to be licensed, the Arts Council will obtain initial order quantities from the Visitor’s Center and estimated reorders.  After that, you will need to base that decision on other retailer’s you contact.

Q:  Will the Arts Council help me sell to other retail venues?
A:  The Arts Council will compile a “mini-catalog” of officially licensed products including images, price point range, and artist/designer contact information and distribute it to local retail outlets.  Retailers will be encouraged to sell officially licensed products as a way to support this public art project.

Q:  What is the licensing fee?
A:  10% of NET profits.

Q:  What is the licensing fee used for?
A:  To support the Mermaid public art project and future public art projects by the Arts Council and the Public Art Commission.

Q:  When is the license fee paid?
A:  The license fee is to be paid on a quarterly basis.

Q:  How do I apply for product licensing?
A:  Provide the Arts Council with the following:

  • A detailed description of the product or product line
  • A sketch, design layout or sample of the product
  • A line sheet containing wholesale prices and suggested retail prices (or estimates)
  • Estimated delivery time
  • Name, address, phone, email address

Submitting your design ideas and product lines as soon as possible would be great – the sooner the better.  Otherwise, this is an 18 month project and we will continue to accept proposals throughout the project.

Q:  What happens once I apply?
A:  A product design review team (comprised of Arts Council staff, artists, gallery owners, visitor’s center buyers, and other shop owners) will review the design and product line.  Once reviewed, you will be notified of the outcome.  If approved we will also provide you with initial Visitor’s Center quantities and estimated reorders.  You will also need to sign a licensing agreement at that time.

We look forward to working with you and should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the mermaid manager, Jenny Rone at 379-ARTS.
Perk-O-Lena submitted by Tammy Nold sponsored by the Historic Beaufort Foundation
Sea Island Quilter submitted by Mary Margaret Green, Sponsored by Lesley Hendricks
Beaufort's Mermaid, by Kevin Palmer
Mami Wata by Tina B. Fripp and Dan Brown, Sponsored by Port Royal Old Village Association
Miss Beaufort submitted by Lee Perry and Charlene Perry-Dohmann, Sponsored by Palmetto State Bank