KEY LARGO PARK WELCOMES WINTER RESIDENT

The Key Largo Community Park has a new winter resident, a 150-lb. copper-and-bronze-clad dolphin created by Tavernier artist, Leon Kula. The dolphin is the latest addition in the Monroe Council of the Arts’ "Dolphins on Parade."

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Goldstein of Ocean Reef sponsored the dolphin and asked that it be displayed at the Key Largo Community Park for all to enjoy.

Outgoing Mayor Shirley Freeman, who spearheaded the "Dolphins on Parade" program in its early stages, unveiled the dolphin. She expressed gratitude to Goldstein and the other sponsors, now numbering over 80, and to the artists for their participation in this Keyswide art event.

The dolphin will remain at the park until March 2001, when gala auctions are planned in Key Largo, Marathon and Key West to benefit Arts Council programs, such as Artists in Schools and ArtReach. Goldstein hopes enough money can be raised to keep this particular dolphin in the Key Largo park. Said Goldstein, "This park is important to those of us at Ocean Reef. I hope we can find a way to make sure (the dolphin) stays here permanently."

Kula began his creation with a wooden dolphin provided by the Arts Council, and then covered it with copper sheeting. The head and borders are cast bronze. All the work was done at Kula’s Tavernier Bronze Foundry, now a well-known source for original fine art sculpture and quality commissioned bronze castings.

The artist has won numerous awards for his work, including a Best of Show in 1995 and a Best of Sculpture in 1996 at the highly regarded Pigeon Key Art Festival in Marathon. Kula currently exhibits at the Sculpture Gallery in the Rain Barrel Artists Village in Islamorada.

The dolphin may be seen at the Key Largo Community Park during regular park hours.