With the launch of the Destination Mermaids–The Tale Trail project in 2020, the avenues of Hernando County morphed magically into a rich, exuberant paradise of mermaids, one that doubled as a virtual gallery featuring the large-scale, masterfully created artwork of prominent Florida artists. And now, it’s time for more mermaids!
The Mermaid Tale Trail, which stands among Hernando County’s most major public art projects, features a trail of life-sized mermaid statues placed throughout Hernando County. A Florida-based artist paints each mermaid. Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau seeks 20 artists to give life, creativity, and beauty to the next round of mermaids. Artists will be paid an honorarium of $1,700; those interested should submit their designs before the deadline on July 26. Interested artists can download the required templates and submit their designs here: www.floridamermaidtrail.com/call-to-artists/
The Hernando County Fine Arts Council and Brooksville Main Street sponsor this public art project.
“We are looking forward to this next round with great excitement,” said Tammy Heon, manager of tourism development of Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau. “We’ve had a waiting list of potential sponsors since we unveiled the first group of Mermaids. Design submissions are coming in, and they look fantastic.”
A colorful coterie of life-sized mermaid statues line The Tale Trail, launched to mark the 75th Anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs. The first phase of the Tale Trail consists of 27 life-sized mermaids on display at the local businesses and agencies that have agreed to sponsor and display these 80-pound statues, standing 6’8″ tall and 32” in diameter and 54″ across. Since the painting and placement of the statues began last year and the trail was unveiled, trail visitors have traveled by car and foot to admire and take photos with every mermaid.
“In a very exciting development, The Mermaid Tale Trail was recognized by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council with a Future of the Region Award for Built Environment, awarded in May of 2024,” noted Heon.
“We are all very excited that the participating artists will now have an honorarium of $1,700 (an increase from the first round),” said Allisa Babor, Hernando County Fine Arts Council Chair. “Our teams at Tourism, Brooksville Main Street, and the Hernando County Fine Arts Council saw firsthand how hard the artists worked during the first round and agreed that ensuring they were paid more for their talent was necessary. Artists will also now receive their first payment installment of $500 on the Mermaid pick-up day.”
Babor encourages artists to show their best creative efforts in painting this latest round of finely sculpted mermaids, conjuring radiant renderings of those sirens who will join their sisters down the length of the Tale Trail.
“We encourage artists to get creative and submit their proposals,” said Babor, “because this next round will be a beautiful addition to our county!”
The Tale Trail project was inspired initially by Hernando County’s famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids, who have been entertaining this area—not to mention countless tourists from around the world—for more than seven decades in a natural spring at a popular recreational park. In 2020, in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs, the Florida Mermaid Trail was developed to extend the magic of the mermaids to Brooksville and throughout all of Hernando County.
Instrumental in this project is Tourism Marketing Specialist and Multimedia Communications Specialist at Florida’s Adventure Coast Tourism Bureau and former Development Rep. at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park John Athanason. Athanason helped to conceptualize this project and handpicked former Weeki Wachee mermaid Kristy Lowman to pose for a casting mold that would form the foundation of the trail sculpture.
“The first round of the Mermaid Tale Trail has been a huge success,” he said. “Not only has it highlighted many areas of interest within our county, but it has also showcased the incredible artistic talent that exists.”
Athanason looks forward to the next round of the Tail Trail project. “I have no doubt the second round will be just as successful,” he said.
The second round of Mermaid Statues will be unveiled on November 2, 2024, after which the newly minted Mermaid statues will be moved to their permanent locations and publicly displayed at local businesses and public locations throughout Hernando County. Organizers say that the goal is to provide an accessible, free-of-charge, and unique experience for all who reside, visit, and work in Hernando County. The recent addition of digital trail passports—offering perks and prizes to those who visit the trail—still attracts more visitors to the mermaids.
“The Mermaid Tale Trail has proven to be a great success; the digital passport has residents and visitors alike exploring the trail, taking selfies and earning points for prizes,” said Heon. “Of course, when we add the new mermaids to the trail, we’ll update the passport as well.”
Mermaid designs must be submitted on 11” x 17” sheets; each artist may submit no more than three design specs. Each artist will write their name the mermaid’s name on each submission, along with the words TT 20224. Additional 11”x 17” sheets are available by email. With each design, the artist should include a written description of the mermaid and her name, provide an artist statement or bio, and include their current address, phone number, and email address.
For more information about or to submit artwork for the latest Destination Mermaids Tale Trail project round, visit https://tinyurl.com/j4mb7nwk.
