Something fishy in Newport
Create Arts Center holds competition to decide favorite marine creatures
The Create Arts Center in Newport, Wash., has delivered more than 60 decorated wooden fish, guppies and minnows to Newport and Oldtown businesses. The fish will be displayed through Sept. 15.
Pat Ruiz, vice president of Create’s board of directors, said the goal of the project was twofold. First, “It was to create a project would draw in the community, and families would take it on as a project,” Ruiz said.
Additionally, Ruiz hoped the fish would encourage people to visit businesses. “Perhaps they would go in stores and businesses they never set foot in before,” she said.
Locals purchased the fish – prices vary by size – and decorated them however they liked.
“Each fish is unique; nothing came that resembled anything else,” Ruiz said.
People can vote on their favorite fish in various categories. Participating business have maps and ballots available so all the fish can be found and votes can be cast.
Voting categories are funniest, prettiest, most patriotic, most artistic and best use of recycling, Ruiz said. There is also a mayor’s choice category as well as a judges’ choice category.
There will be an awards ceremony Sept. 18 at Create, 900 W. Fourth in Newport, where the artists of the fish will accept their prizes. Prizes will likely be gift baskets put together containing products from businesses, Ruiz said.