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Introducing… the Turtle Tide Art Project!

We are excited to announce the 2022 Turtle Tide Art Project! 🐢 This project is designed to benefit local businesses, artists, and non-profit organizations, as well as support conservation efforts and increase knowledge of loggerhead turtles. In addition to raising funding for a variety of local non-profits, the painted turtles will offer residents and visitors a glimpse into the creative artists of Edisto and will also serve as an education tool on conservation efforts that support the protection of loggerheads.

Check out our Turtle Tide Guide brochure/map that you can use to visit all the turtle locations:

Turtle Tide GuideDownload

There might be a prize if you snap your picture with all ten turtles! For more information about this project, visit Turtle Tide Art Project – Edisto Chamber of Commerce.

Before: Naked Turtles!
Turtle Tide Art Project at Edisto Beach
After: Example of Painted Turtle

All ten loggerhead turtles have been placed around Edisto, each featuring unique artwork painted on them by local artists. These turtles have been sponsored by local businesses, which partnered with artists to create the fun designs you’ll see! Each turtle will features a “fun fact” so you can learn more about loggerhead turtles and the importance of their conservation. Each sponsor selected a non-profit organization that will receive all of the funds raised once we auction these turtles off on October 15th during our Fall Festival event. Yes, that’s right, you can take one of these turtles home with you!

We held a Turtle Tide Art Reveal event on June 4th where we unveiled our turtles at the Edisto Beach State Park Turtle Fest. The reveal event was well attended and provided a “first look” at the beautiful artwork adorning each turtle. The event also introduced the sponsors, gave artists a chance to introduce their turtle and talk about the artwork, and provided details on the associated non-profit each turtle is supporting.

Join us for the first ever Turtle Tide Art Auction – October 15 at our Edisto Beach Fall Festival!

This project has been brought to life with the support of our community, including Lowcountry Collision in Walterboro, the Edisto Art Guild, the Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project, and of course our local businesses who chose to sponsor one of these turtles. While the artists were busy creating their masterpieces, the sponsors chose a non-profit, selected a location for their turtle, and even got to name their turtle! Let’s get to know each of our 10 turtles and sponsors:

  • Turtle Name: Sir Franklin McConkey
  • Sponsor: McConkey’s Jungle Shack
  • Artist: Caroline Matheny Eynon
  • Non-Profit: Edisto Island Community Association
  • Turtle Name: Miss Edislow
  • Sponsor: The Edistonian Gift Shop / Surf & Turf Beachwear
  • Artist: Ginger & Naomi Sanders
  • Non-Profit: Good Samaritan Clinic
  • Turtle Name: Hope Is Not Enough
  • Sponsor: Edisto Island Open Land Trust
  • Artist: Louise Britton
  • Non-Profit: Edisto Island Open Land Trust
  • Turtle Name: So-Shell
  • Sponsor: Greenboat Discount Liquor & Revel
  • Artist: Linda Steele & Caroline Steele
  • Non-Profit: Edisto Island Youth Recreation
  • Turtle Name: Jorgie
  • Sponsor: The Edisto Island Triathlon
  • Artist: Rev. Deb Benton & Rev. Susan Stone
  • Non-Profit: Edisto Beach Volunteer Fire Department
  • Turtle Name: Nocturtle
  • Sponsor: Wyndham Ocean Ridge
  • Artist: Tom McElroy
  • Non-Profit: Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project
  • Turtle Name: Ebby
  • Sponsor: VACASA Edisto
  • Artist: Courtney Vesser
  • Non-Profit: Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project
  • Turtle Name: Blu-Too
  • Sponsor: Jeanine G. Rhodes, Realtor
  • Artist: Patrick Stare
  • Non-Profit: Animal Lovers of Edisto (ALOE)
  • Turtle Name: Scuba Steve
  • Sponsor: Ella & Ollies / The Briny Swine
  • Artist: Travis Harlan
  • Non-Profit: Sleigh Bells
  • Turtle Name: Myrtle
  • Sponsor: Carolina One Edisto Vacation Rentals
  • Artist: Gerry McElroy
  • Non-Profit: Edisto Island Youth Recreation

Big thanks to our partners this year: Edisto Art Guild & Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project!

Artist Travis Harlan with his turtle. Disclaimer: DO NOT climb on painted turtles 🙂

We are so excited about this project! Stay tuned for more updates and join us on October 15 for our Turtle Tide Art Auction. For more information about this project, visit Turtle Tide Art Project – Edisto Chamber of Commerce.

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