THE FAIRHOPE COMMITTE ON PUBLIC ART (COPA)

The Committee On Public Art was started by the Eastern Shore Art Association to develop and implement a long-range plan to acquire, place and maintain works of art of the highest quality and to make visible Fairhope’s long-standing interest in and support of the arts. By working with the Mayor and City Council, local businesses, organizations, and individuals, the committee raises funds for public art projects in Fairhope. Jolane Edwards was the initiator of and driving force behind COPA. Since its inception five years ago, COPA has purchased and donated to the City of Fairhope “Elan Vital,” by John Medwedeff and “The Dolphin Family;” by Jim Sardonis; jointly sponsored the fish and alligator sculptures by Bruce Larson at Thomas Hospital; and has contributed funds towards Stephen Spears’ sculpture of Fairhope artist Craig Sheldon, which will be placed in downtown Fairhope in 2008.

ART TAKES FLIGHT

Art Takes Flight is the first large scale temporary public art project for the Fairhope area. Fairhope’s first piece of public art was Craig T. Sheldon’s sculpture of three pelicans, “Celebration of Life,” which is installed on the front lawn of the Fairhope Campus of Faulkner State Community College. The piece celebrates the return of the Brown Pelican to Mobile Bay. The Sheldon family offered the original model of Craig’s pelicans to make a mold for casting the fiberglass birds. 71 pelicans were decorated by local artists for this unique event. For further information, visit www.FairhopeCopa.com