The Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s growing Turtle Trail has drawn praise, delight, creativity and increasing attention since it launched nearly four years ago and spread its clutches across the city.
Now it’s drawn thieves.
One or more thieves (the 5-foot, 60-pound fiberglass sculpture could theoretically be lifted by a single person) stole “Quilty,” the sixth turtle in the trail, an $8,000 work installed in October 2019 at at the Grand Haven Condo Association’s Creekside Park, at Waterfront Park Road and Colbert Lane in Palm Coast.
Arts Foundation Executive Director Nancy Crouch, who conceived the idea of the Turtle Trail, reported the theft on the foundation’s Facebook and web pages and issued a statement appealing for the turtle’s return. The sponsor of the sculpture, Pat Verhagen–a quilter who owns the 1.1-acre park land with her husband Bill, also a sponsor–reported the theft to authorities. She had last seen the sculpture the afternoon of Jan. 27, and noticed it missing the afternoon of Jan. 31. A sheriff’s report notes Paradise Landscaping nearby may have had surveillance camera footage. Crouch said it was being reviewed.
“The addition of ‘Quilty’ to our park is a wonderful addition to a place of serenity and reflection. We hope she is enjoyed by all who stop by to see her,” Bill Verhagen said when the turtle was unveiled over two years ago.
The Palm Coast Arts Foundation is offering a $2,000 reward for the sculpture’s “safe return and the apprehension of the culprits who took her!,” Crouch wrote. “We need the public’s awareness of this unlawful act and to please help us locate QUILTY and bring her back home. Please spread the word and notify the Flagler County Police Department (386-437-4116) if you happen upon any clues of her whereabouts.”
The turtle is the work of artist Bettie Eubanks, who was inspired by a Betty White quilt from the 1700s to paint to turtle’s carapace in turquoise, with an elaborate star at the center, rimmed in patterns of brown, beige and white triangles. (White’s work hangs in the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.) The Verhagen own the Cut Up & Sew Quilt Shop at City Marketplace.
Since May 2018, the Palm Coast Arts Foundation has been sponsoring what was designed as–and what quickly became–the city’s most ambitious public art project: a Turtle Trail in sculptures. The project draws on local artists and sponsors who in turn draw on the region’s ecology, its environmental aesthetics and history to create unique-looking ceramic sculptures and display them permanently in a growing list of high-visibility locations, including government buildings, the courthouse, public parks and schools. The foundation produced a map of the trail, available at such places as the Flagler Beach Museum.
The first installation dates back almost four years to “Claude,” named for artist Claude Monet, sponsored by Parkside Realty Group and created by artists Paul Beaulieu and Tom Anastasio, the inaugural sculpture was placed in front of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation outdoor stage in Town center, where it’s remained since. (Parkside Owner Sam Perkovich is a founding member of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation.)
Other turtles have showcased the work of artists such as Ron lace, Andy Sovia, Christine Broussard, the Flagler Palm Coast High School Art Club (whose turtle, “Norman,” was donated to told Kings Elementary School with the coordination of Auditorium Director Amelia Fulmer), and JJ Graham, whose “Nadia” is in front of Palm Coast City Hall. “Suffice it to say I never dreamed I’d be commissioned to paint dancers inspired by the works of Degas on a sea turtle named Nadia or that I would actually enjoy the process as much as I did” he said at the time, comments reproduced in his portion of the Turtle Trail story. “For the most part, I treated the shell and fins like an unusually shaped canvas, turned up the music and went for it. In the end I can only hope that people feel the joy and playful nature that embodied my creative process. My thanks to the Palm Coast Arts Foundation and the mysterious sponsor that gave me the opportunity to participate in this ongoing project, and I hope our community continues to support their efforts.”
That’s only a partial list of the artists, whose work forms a collective unique in the city’s public art, a collective now violated by the theft.
The trail had grown to 16 turtles since 2018, the last installation taking place on January 22 when artist Bob Teller’s “Louis,” inspired by jazz great Louis Armstrong–it’s the first music-inspired sculpture in the collection–was unveiled in Beach Haven. Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” played during the ceremony. It’s Teller’s second sculpture in the collection.
Art thievery is not uncommon of course, though it’s not yet clear whether “Quilty”‘s theft ranks as art thievery by art buffs or as vandalism for the sake of vandalism. Whatever the motive, it takes a particular kind of malicious and odious individual to steal art in the public trust: a circle of hell as yet unimagined even by Dante is reserved for them. Absent a reversal of conscience by the thieves, recovering stolen art can be difficult, but it happens.
Just this week Dutch art detective Arthur Brand returned a first century bronze, nearly 16-inch sculpture of the god Bacchus to the Musee du Pays Chatillonnais in eastern France, from where the sculpture was stolen half a century ago. Two weeks ago 34 Cambodian sculptures dating to what would have been the Middle Ages and stolen by the late art dealer Douglas Latchford years ago were returned to Cambodia. The works are worth $35 million.
On the other hand, two thieves stole 11 works from a British Columbia art gallery on Jan. 15, including several sculptures. Their heist was captured on surveillance video.
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Angry NPA Voter says
I love these sculptures, and their beauty and uniqueness are important to living in a quality area. Sadly, with the rapid expansion of the city it appears we have inherited larger city problems, too. Even ten years ago there weren’t many reports of this type. Now the daily crime reports seem to increase, trash is everywhere (even in our neighborhood which was previously spotless), traffic is ridiculous, and as the old saying goes, “this is why we can’t have nice things!!” What the he77 … what is going on here the past year or two? At the current price of homes, you would think people moving in are better educated, employed, and have a few decent social values. This is getting very discouraging. I hope someone who knows anything about this not only turns in the thief but donates half the reward back to the project for future sculptures. I would. Keep these concerns in mind when we have our next election cycle. We need some better leadership in this city AND county.
Percy's mother says
I don’t know what being an “angry NPA voter” has to do with it.
We’re dealing with a complete breakdown of society, which includes healthcare, finance, legal, employment, education, MORALS, a cancel culture, a culture of nonsensical NON-science-based rules and regulations, vaccinations that don’t work, mask requirements that don’t work, now pushing vaccinating 6 month olds x3 with a vaccine that doesn’t work, showing vaccine cards for a vaccine that doesn’t work and it goes on and on. You might want to read the most recent Johns Hopkins study about the complete ineffectiveness of shutting ANYTHING down and how destructive that “science” has been.
This isn’t a regional (“city AND county”) thing. It’s the simple fact that the fabric of society is crumbling (quickly). You obviously haven’t realized that yet, which I gather from your post.
The sooner everyone wakes up about the current crumbling of society and all its aspects, and stops wasting time on useless topics such as stupid time-wasting declarations against hate (school board), and all the other stupidity going on, then maybe we can concentrate on the fact that we’re seriously teetering on the edge of a total worldwide abyss (into full-blown collapse).
It’s like being an alcoholic or other out of control addict . . . first you have to acknowledge there’s a problem and then work from there (diligently every day, every minute).
In this case, many of us have yet to acknowledge that society as we once knew it is crumbling beyond repair while our politicians fiddle about stupid insignificant stuff (which is what happened in the final days of the Roman empire). Have you read about the fall of the Roman Empire? Turn off the TV and the internet and spend some time reading in depth what’s happened throughout history, and as we know history repeats itself if no lessons are learned.
By the way, as an “angry NPA voter”, I’d be interested to know who YOU voted for last time there were school board elections, or city council elections, OR county commission elections.
It’s just a matter of time. I would forget about being an “angry NPA voter” and spend some time thinking about what you’re going to do and how you’re going to cope when things start getting REALLY bad, which in my opinion, isn’t that far off.
Steve says
Vaccines that dont work…..
Angry NPA Voter says
The name simply states that I am a moderate and do not make decisions based on party. I also have the right to be angry about the state of affairs here and the shaky road ahead. I vote based on qualifications and have voted for candidates of both parties. I have taken the time to meet and talk with candidates, have contributed financially to campaigns, and had signs on my lawn – again for BOTH parties. I’m not sure what your sanctimonious comment means about what I use as a screen name.
As for your snarky comment about the TV, I watch very little television other than sports events or specials. I do not watch the alphabet news channels. I choose to read the news, extensively, on a daily basis, from sources both left and right then form my conclusions and opinions. Anyone who knows me personally knows that’s how I am and respect me for it. I research with earnest about anything that sounds controversial.
You question my voting record? I have voted in every local, state, and federal election since 1972, in multiple states (since we were military for 26 years and moved a lot). Assuming things about others is a slippery slope, dear Percy’s Mother, and I suggest you don’t make assumptions about me.
As for working toward solutions, I have spent my entire life, literally since childhood, performing community service, being involved in civic organizations that benefit the elderly and at-risk children, volunteering at the Veterans’ nursing home in Daytona, and worked for a foundation managing an emergency aid fund and college scholarships across the country. I probably did more to work toward finding solutions in one week than you have done in a year.
My comment about voting in better leadership is directly related to the deterioration of the quality of life in our county due to poor growth management affecting our schools, infrastructure, emergency services, and aesthetic issues.
Finally, would you mind explaining what the he77 vaccines have to do with the theft of a piece of art? You really are on a roll. Did you miss your meds? Never mind. Care to rethink your rant at me? Or do you still think I am uninformed and sitting around watching soap operas?
Pissed in my pants says
Whoever stole Quilty their hands should fall off!
Shark says
One less eyesore!!!!!
December says
Hope the thieves are caught and the sculpture is returned without damage, I for one enjoy the sculptures and can’t imagine why someone would consider them an eyesore, right or wrong to each his own I guess hope its found.
Joseph says
Betsy Ross*
A.j says
Vaccines work for me just saying. O you think society is crumbling because prayer was taken out of school? Is carma punishing the white men because of the lynching years? I don’t know but I love when white men hurt.
Pissed in my pants says
A.J: That’s a you problem.
Lol what? says
What the hell are you gunna do with the statue now that you have it? 😂 gotta turn up somewhere.
Pissed in my pants says
LOL what: are they going to hold Quilty hostage and ask for a ransom????
Concerned Citizen says
I’m amazed.
It took just minutes for a piece about a missing sculpture to turn into rants. We went from talking about a missing turtle to insulting one another. And for what? What did it accomplish?