to Benefit Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
Wilmington, N.C. - Artists, musicians, and merchants of the Castle Street Arts District have joined forces with one another to create the first annual Sea Turtle Arts Rescue Festival/S.T.A.R.Festival to benefit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center located on Topsail Island.
The Festival runs Friday and Saturday July, 8th and 9th beginning at 9:00 AM. The festival will be held in the 500 and 600 blocks of Castle Street, Wilmington, N.C.
The sea turtle rescue center is currently building a new hospital on donated land in Surf City, N.C. The center is a non profit organization and relies on donations to keep the center up and running. Caring for these precious and endangered creatures is a full time job for volunteers under Jean Beasley’s direction.
There will be a silent auction of more than 50 works of art by artists’ from across the U.S. with all the proceeds benefiting the sea turtle rescue center. Arts and crafts, live music, great food and drink, and activities for the kids are just a few of the exciting things planned for the festival.
Comments from participating artists:
" I was inspired to donate to the event and to attend for a number of reasons. I felt helpless and frustrated after the Gulf Oil Spill and had been in contact with a group of artist friends for several years on a couple of social network sites. When we began tossing the idea around for this fund raiser I finally saw a way to give back to people who were making a difference in saving some of the endangered wildlife either directly or indirectly. I have also decided to fly across country and attend the festival, bringing my support, some small pieces of recently created turtle art and my wish to finally meet the people that I have grown to know and love and to share in the cause that they have given so much time, creativity and love to." From Christine Rossi, an artist located in the San Francisco Bay area.
Kittie Rue Deemer, an artist from the town of Wake Forest, said, "When I saw the notice about the festival, and then looked at the mission and accomplishments of the Topsail Island turtle rescue group, I knew I must participate. The painting I created is of a green turtle skimming along the seabed. When I scuba dive, my holy grail is to see one of these guys in their native habitat. It's an honor to be able to donate to such a worthy cause."
Gina Locklear, owner of Gypsy Gina’s Arts and Antiques, added, "Castle Street’s new Arts and Antique District is really just getting started in it’s endeavor to become a thriving arts community. “We are thrilled to host this event and help the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center with saving the lives of these precious and endangered creatures.” She went on to say, “ We believe getting involved with worthy causes is vital to our community and to give back is just the cherry on top of the cake.”
History of the Rescue Center
In 1996 a small group of dedicated volunteers with the Topsail Turtle Project stood on an empty lot in Topsail Beach. The group shared a dream....The Topsail Turtle Project was organized by Karen Beasley, as she saw the need to preserve and protect the SEA TURTLE nests, nesting females and hatchlings on the 26 miles of coastline on Topsail Island. After Karen's untimely death, the torch was passed on to her mother, Jean Beasley, today the Executive Director of both the nesting program and the rehabilitation center. The dream of a rehabilitation center was realized through the tireless efforts of the Beasley family, their financial support; the support of the project members, and the generous donations of money, time and material from local residents, businesses and visitors.
All ages are welcome to come and participate, enjoy the festivities, music, food and the turtle art. Remember all of the proceeds from the silent auction go to the turtle hospital program!
Sea Turtle Arts Rescue Festival: July 8th and 9th, from 9AM, Castle Street Arts District, (500 & 600 Blocks) Wilmington N. C.
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