NORFOLK, Va. — The Virginia Zoo is calling on Hampton Roads artists to show off their talents in a redesign of its mermaid statue.
The mermaid statue, which currently features a tiger-striped tail, is the first to greet zoo-goers.
It was first placed outside the zoo in the late 1990s when Norfolk officially adopted the mermaid as a symbol of the city. The statute was redesigned in 2010 but zoo officials say "after many years of love (and weather), she is in need of a facelift."
Now, the zoo is searching for local artists to give the sculpture a complete makeover.
"The Virginia Zoo is seeking artists to design, paint, embellish, and completely makeover its mermaid sculpture, giving it a new life as a photo opportunity for guests."
The chosen artist will receive $2,000 to make their design come to life.
Zoo officials want the design to reference the Virginia Zoo in some way and be suitable for outdoor conditions.
Artists wanting to participate in the transformation should submit a sketch of their proposed design, previous work examples, a description of their art and an estimated timeline.
Proposals should be submitted by June 12. The chosen design will be announced by June 17, leaving the artist just shy of a month to complete their work by July 12.
For a complete list of requirements and more details on the application process, check out the Virginia Zoo's website here.
