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FINTASTICALLY FREDERICKSBURG!

"Fintastically Fredericksburg!" splashes into town

Date published: 3/29/2007

By MICHAEL ZITZ

One fish, two fish.

Red fish, blue fish.

It's almost as if "Fintastically Fredericksburg!" were spawned just for whimsical May Kimmer of Mind's Eye Studio.

The Spotsylvania County artist and writer of the periodical titled Notions, Potions is currently working on an illustrated book, "Living on the Ceiling," a collection of children's poetry and artwork.

She says Dr. Seuss is one of her inspirations. And she has captured the spirit of the new event with her entries "Catfish in the Hat," "Huckleberry 'Fin'" and "Hooked on Elvis, Kingfish of Rock."

Kimmer said the fundraiser for Friends of the Rappahannock and the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center is a fun way for local artists--and businesses--to get exposure while bringing in money for a good cause.

Thirty-five fancifully decorated fiberglass fish will go on display Sunday at 4 p.m. at the museum. Then they'll be scattered at local businesses. The fish will remain on view throughout town until August, when the event wraps up with an auction and barbecue.

Becky Huffman Hubbard, a Stafford County artist with a studio in Falmouth, has two entries in the show--"Sparky," a Dalmatian fish, and "Penny for Your Thoughts," a fish covered in copper scales.

Hubbard said that when she created a cat for "Pawsitively Fredericksburg!"--a similar event that was held in 2005 and featured dogs and cats instead of fish--it ended up in front of the Fredericksburg Fire Department. The chief said he wished she'd made a Dalmatian. So, "Sparky" the Dalmatian fish will be placed in front of the firehouse, she said.

The idea for "Penny," Hubbard said, came simply from her desire to create a fish whose scales would sparkle in the sun.

Kimmer has a mural finishing business, and also does portraiture in her studio near Lake Anna.

"Kids are tired of being preached to," she said. "They like good, fun stuff. I've seen a lot of the fish done by other artists and they're absolutely amazing. I think this will inspire youngsters to want to do their own artwork."

That's part of the "Fintastically Fredericksburg!" plan. Local high school students will display their own flamboyant clear-coated fish creations at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library headquarters on April 14.

"This," Kimmer said, "is something different, something novel."

What: "A Wine Kettle of Fish" exhibit opening Where: Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center, 907 Princess Anne St. When: Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Cost: $15 Tickets: Available in advance at the Fredericksburg Area Museum gift shop, Friends of the Rappahannock, The Silver Spider, Whittingham, Corky's and the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. What: "Fintastically Fredericksburg!" public exhibition Where: All of the fish will be on display at local businesses. When: April through August FYI: A map at riverfriends.org will pinpoint locations. Or look for a pullout map in Sunday's paper. What: "Whimsical Young Artists" exhibit opening Where: Central Rappahannock Regional Library headquarters, 1201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg When: April 14, 2-4 p.m. Cost: Free FYI: Tabletop versions of colorful fish created by high school students will be on display, and light refreshments will be served. What: "Something's Fishy in Fishburg" scavenger hunt When: May 20-July 22 FYI: Children follow clues to find fish and answer questions. Prizes will be awarded. The grand prize is a gift certificate for a canoe trip for four on the Rappahannock River, donated by the Virginia Outdoor Center. What: "Reelin' 'Em In" auction Where: Market Square, behind the Fredericksburg Area Museum When: Aug. 25 FYI: Features a closing ceremony and fish auction, plus a barbecue feast from Virginia Barbeque For more information on the "Fintastically Fredericksburg!" exhibit and events, call the Fredericksburg Area Museum at 540/ 371-3037 or Friends of the Rappahannock at 540/373-3448, or visit riverfriends.org. Look for a pullout map in Sunday's paper.

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Date published: 3/29/2007