By AYLEEN CANIZALES
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
Renowned artist Connie Lovell, known for her evocative sculptures like Josie the Loggerhead at Sea Turtle Inc. and Humberto the Great Blue Heron, and Miguel the Mahi-Mahi at Valley International Airport (VIA), has unveiled her latest masterpiece. The new sculpture, showcased at the South Padre Island Birding Nature & Alligator Sanctuary (SPIBNAS) on Jun. 18, features a mermaid named Costa holding a Black Skimmer named Sammy, crafted entirely from plastic trash collected from the beaches of South Padre Island (SPI) and Boca Chica (BC).
Lovell, who has been praised for her previous works, explained that the sculpture was inspired by her collaboration with Costa Cleanup (CC), a volunteer organization dedicated to beach cleanups. The inclusion of the Black Skimmer, an endangered species, underscores the urgency of the environmental message.
Lovell currently boasts nine sculptures and has ambitious plans for her tenth project, “The Reef.” This upcoming work will depict a vibrant underwater scene featuring tropical fish, a turtle, an octopus and seahorses. “A reef is so alive,” Lovell remarked, emphasizing her desire to highlight the biodiversity and beauty of reef ecosystems. Although she has no specific location in mind for this new piece, Lovell dreams of displaying her art globally.
Lovell spoke passionately about her mission to educate the public on ocean health through her art. She clarified that the plastic trash used in her sculptures is not merely litter left behind by beachgoers but a global problem affecting everyone. “People think the trash is on the beach because people have left it there,” she explained. “No, it’s washing up.” Lovell stressed that the issue of ocean pollution is not confined to coastal areas but impacts the entire world. “Without our ocean alive, we are not alive,” she said, underscoring the critical nature of this environmental challenge.
Lovell’s commitment to this cause is evident in her global efforts to collect trash that has washed up on SPI beaches and BC, from places such as the Dominican Republic, Japan, China, Mexico, South America, and various European countries. While she acknowledges the usefulness of plastic, particularly in fields like medicine, she advocates for a reevaluation of its pervasive use. “Check your home or car, see how many things are plastic. Our clothes are now plastic,” Lovell pointed out, highlighting the need for a shift in consumption patterns.
Moreover, Lovell raised concerns about the health implications of plastic pollution. She warned that toxins from plastic waste in the ocean can be absorbed by fish, posing potential risks to humans who consume them. Her art serves as a powerful tool to “scream” her message about the importance of ocean conservation.
“I just want people to realize that we as a world have to decide that this is an issue, not just to people living on the coast, but the world,” Lovell urged. Through her captivating sculptures, she aims to raise awareness and inspire collective action to protect our oceans.
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