Pelicans On Parade

THE PELICAN BRIEF

The Idea Hatched - Pelicans on Parade began as a joint venture between the
Acadiana Arts Council and the Lafayette Parish School System. Originally,
the pelican sculpture was created to serve as the mascot for an
artist-in-residence program known as Primary Academic and Creative
Experiences (PACE). A Title I federal program currently active in twelve
elementary schools in Lafayette Parish, PACE offers a holistic approach to
learning, allowing teams of professional artists and educators to develop
arts experiences that support daily academic curriculum.

The Early Bird - Local sculptor David Fox designed the pelican prototype
that was funded by the Title I Program. Fox, a high school teacher at the
W.D. Smith Career Center, involved his students in the initial design phase.
The process began with a drawing, then a series of intersecting cardboard
and wooden pieces were created to make up the skeletal structure of the
bird. The skeleton was covered with a fabric skin to give the pelican the
form you see today. Using this form as a prototype, a mold could now be
created. Fiberglass Plus of Broussard, LA., accepted the challenge of
moving from their regular business of boat repair and remote control
airplanes and became the official pelican manufacturers.

The School Birds - Each of the original PACE schools involved their student
body in the unique look of their pelican. Students submitted ideas from a
wide variety of themes, ranging from their school's motto, to landscapes of
their community, to individual self-portraits. PACE artists at each school
were responsible for arranging and applying designs to the fiberglass form.
A flock of ten colorful pelicans was completed and began to make appearances
at a variety of public events before nesting at their home schools.

The Birds Take Flight - The response from people who saw the birds was
overwhelming. The decision was made for the project to be taken to the next
level - the largest public art exhibit in Acadiana! Taking the bait from New
Orleans Festival of Fins, and similar projects worldwide, the partners began
to structure the project to benefit the community's Arts-in-Education
program. Education was to be a continuous focus of the project.

The Artists & Patrons - Initial support for the public phase of the project
came in the form of a "nest-egg" from corporate business leader FUGRO CHANCE INC. A call to artists was sent throughout the state. Over 250 designs were submitted from hopeful artists, groups and students. Corporate and
individual patrons pledged their support and sponsored designs. Artists then
creatively applied their designs to the fiberglass pelicans.

The Nesting - Now that pelicans have roosted in the Deep South, they can be
seen everywhere from street corners to strip malls to town squares, locals
and tourists can enjoy the entire flock of proud plumage through May 2002.

The Birds of A Feather - Students and educators across Acadiana have flocked
together with ideas for projects and contests relating to the state bird.
Educators are sharing lesson plans and activity ideas with each other.
Gifted and talented students from Lafayette High School have worked in
teams, interviewing artists and patrons to compile the information needed to
produce a bird-watching guide: The Louisiana Field Guide to Pelicans on
Parade - Acadiana Region. This booklet will be available to the public in
the spring. Students from many schools have participated in numerous pelican
events, and will be appearing on television and radio shows to present
Pelican Profiles: The Stories Behind the Birds. Many PACE schools have
organized contests to name the pelicans that they designed.

The Auction - While some pelicans will be taking up residence in backyards,
poolsides, or fishing camps after the eight-month public display period,
many birds will migrate to new homes all over the country. Patrons have the
option to keep their bird or to raise money for their favorite non-profit
organization by placing it on the auction block. Many patrons have already
committed to auction their pelicans to benefit the Arts-in-Education
program, Junior Achievement, and many more local non-profits. The live
"Squawktion" will be a Blues, Beer, BBQ, Birds and Bidding affair on June
1st, 2002. Time, location and ticket info TBA.

IN AN EGGSHELL, HERE'S HOW THE PROJECT WORKS

Artists, individuals and community groups submit design proposals by March 1st, 2001

A Pelican Pier Review Committee approves designs for inclusion in the "Port-folio"

Businesses and invdividuals select designs at the Tag-A-Bird event on March 15th, 2001, and become Pelican Patrons at $2,200 per bird

Designs selected by Patrons are produced by artists

Artists recieve an $800 honorarium

Completed birds "nest" in various locations and tourist destinations throughout Acadiana

Selected birds are auctioned to benefit non-profit organizations

WEB-FOOTED FACTS

The 4 1/2 foot fiberglass pelicans were designed by local sculptor David Fox and are being fabricated by Fiberglass Plus in Broussard, LA.

Several pelicans will be introduced
during Festival International de Louisiane.

The pelicans will be "nested" in August, 2001.
The entire flock of pelicans wil be unveiled during Festival Acadiens.

The birds will remain "in port" until Mardi Gras, 2002.

Non-profits can encourage Patrons to donate their birds back to the project for the final auction, where a portion of the proceeds can benefit their organization.