Public Art on Display
We are asked quite often about the turtle statues that are around the island. Well, loggerhead and leatherback aren’t the only sea turtles you’ll find nesting on Tybee Island. A special species of turtles nest here year-round. The bale of turtles art project began in 2006 when a few residents came up with the idea to whimsically displaying artfully designed turtles around the island. The project became a reality as Tybee Arts Association artists came together and created 20 turtles for The Tybee Turtle Tour with support from the City of Tybee Island and sponsors. These specially designed sea turtle statues were placed in favorite local spaces on the island where they became landmarks.
One year after the tour, a number of turtles were auctioned and monies raised went to benefit sea-turtle research and preservation. Read more here.
The list to the right is where some of our artfully designed turtles still maintain year-round residency on Tybee.
‘He Ain’t Heavy’ by Irene Sullivan @ Tybee Gym | ‘Hey Diddle Turtle’ by Deborah Mosch @ 19th Street |
‘Captain Jack’ by Nancy Easterlin @ The Crab Shack | ‘Turtle Vision’ by Sally Bostwick @ City Hall |
‘Caretta Tybetta’ by Jon Pickering @ Secret Nest | ‘Ma Cootah enn lee’ ones – The Gullah Turtle’ by Don Josephson @ Tybee Island Marine Science Center |
‘Terrapin Towers’ by Julie Lieberman @ Tybee Beach Vacation Rentals | ‘Terra Turtle’ by Linda Lindeborg @ Memorial Park |
‘Tiffany Turtle’ by Mary Ingalls @ Guard House | ‘Caretta Caretta’ by Rene Heidt @ Tybee Welcome Sign |
