American Red Cross Fundraiser Mermaid Winners
The generosity and compassion of our customers made a “Splash” this winter market season with our American Red Cross fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy relief. Donations – which were matched by IMAX – were collected in return for the chance to win one of two original mermaid sculptures made by Oklahoma artist, Colleen Stiles.
Tami Durkee of The Pear Tree in Cocoa Village, Florida made a generous donation and was thrilled to win the January 15th drawing in Atlanta for the mermaid “Sirene”.
The Pear Tree considers itself a unique shopping experience with a coastal flair. Unique Gifts & Home Accessories is the tag line, and it’s really an eclectic selection of both. Originally opened in the 1980s, this March will mark Tami’s 10th anniversary as proprietor. During this time, Tami expanded the store, doubling the physical size, and greatly expanded the style and selection of gifts and home décor. Soon “Sirene” will join the store, and they already think of her as their mascot. Her colors and whimsical design will fit right in!
Living in Florida, the Durkees are all too familiar with the effects of hurricanes! “We have lived without power due to hurricanes. 
We have family members who lost their homes in Andrew. Watching as Sandy came ashore we worried for our friends and vendors in New Jersey amd New York,” said John Durkee. “So when [our salesperson] asked for a donation and said that IMAX was matching it, Tami and I were very happy to contribute.” Just days after Sandy hit, the fishing club to which John Durkee belongs collected numerous supplies, loaded a truck and trailer, and drove them to folks in NJ. Lots of canned food – and manual can openers – lots of blankets and clothing, plus hundreds of gallons of fresh water were distributed to those affected by the storm.
Shannon Turner of Girard Ave Collection in LaJolla, California won the January 31st drawing for the mermaid, “Korrigan”, in Las Vegas. Shannon is eager to continue the fundraising effort at her own store once “Korrigan” comes home.
Girard Ave Collection is a collective of unique home accessories – antique, vintage, some funk, some new – a great mix of everything for the home and garden. LaJolla is a beach town, and so “Korrigan” should feel right at home.
Thank you to all of our customers and friends who have contributed to help the American Red Cross raise funds for the ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
Making a bigger “Splash” with IMAX!
First of all, I would like to personally congratulate the winner of our drawing for the mermaid, “Siréne”, held in Atlanta on the 15th. Tami Durkee of The Pear Tree in Cocoa Village, Florida made a generous donation and was rewarded by getting to take the mermaid home this spring! Thank you to all of our customers and friends who contributed to help the American Red Cross raise funds for the ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
You Can Still Help:
If you did not win the first drawing, don’t worry – you can still help! We will be collecting donations through the end of the Las Vegas market (February 1st) for a chance to win the second original mermaid sculpture, “Korrigan”, by yours truly. I have been working at record pace to complete a second sculpture in time for market, and guess what? She’s finished. This piece is very different from the first, and I must say that I think you will love her. She is seated on a table, but can be removed to sit on a countertop or other surface, so she is more versatile to display. Her shimmery painted scales are decorated with intricate drawings remeniscent of henna tattoos
, and she leans back, holding a glass orb in her outstretched hand. Very ethereal, in a watery kind of way!
The Vision:
We are continuing to partner with the Red Cross in their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. For every $20 donated, you will receive a chance to win this beautiful original life-sized mermaid sculpture, and IMAX will contribute matching donations. Join us in continuing the support needed by our friends and neighbors affected by the storm.
I hope that if you make it to Las Vegas you will come and see the mermaid. You will find “Korrigan” in our showroom window display, World Market Center A429.
Donate Online: Donate online at www.imaxcorp.com/mermaid/
Donate in the Las Vegas Showroom: Donations are being collected in Las Vegas – World Market Center A429.
The Making of “Siréne” the Mermaid (Update: Winner Announced)
Update: We have a winner! The Tami Durkee with The Pear Tree located in Cocoa Village, Florida!
The Backstory:
A few months ago my creative director came into my office and said, “Just wanted to warn you that you may be asked to make a mermaid.” Not a typical conversation around the IMAX office, but in my off hours I create figurative sculptures which 
I exhibit and sell through galleries and artist representatives. So, while it may not have been a “normal” thing to hear around the office, it wasn’t completely out of thin air.
One of our new trends for the January market season is called Splash, and our international buyer, had the idea of creating a life-sized mermaid for our Atlanta window display… She had me at “life-sized”. I quickly agreed to the project, started planning, and from there the project blossomed into two mermaids – one for Atlanta and one for Las Vegas.
The Process:
My sculptures are made from body casts. I use plaster gauze – the same material the doctor used on you when you broke your arm as a kid – to create the form of the figure. The form is filled with expanding foam, creating a lightweight, but solid core. I then add on to the piece using a variety of mediums, such as textiles, driftwood, bones, sawdust, earth and paint, giving each piece a unique identity.
Over the summer we created the graphic direction for marketing the Splash trend. It is a very bright and enthusiastic design, illustrated with zen doodle style fish, starfish, sand dollars, and, of course, a mermaid tail! So the mermaids were the perfect unique way to highlight the theme. I am hopeful that all of the January market attendees will take the time to go and see my creations!
The Vision:
The first mermaid (for Atlanta) is complete now, and I am working on the Las Vegas piece. The biggest question I had when I took on this project was, what will happen to the pieces after market is over? Well, Hurricane Sandy gave us an answer. We decided to partner with the Red Cross in their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. For every $20 donated, you will receive a chance to win this stunning original life-sized 
mermaid sculpture, and IMAX will contribute matching donations. This is such an exciting effort for us here at IMAX, as we all know people who were affected by the storm.
I hope that if you make it to Atlanta or Las Vegas you will come and see the mermaids. You will find the Atlanta mermaid in our window display on the 11th floor of the Atlanta Gift Mart, Building 2.
Donate Online: Donate online at www.imaxcorp.com/mermaid/
Donate in the Atlanta and Las Vegas Showrooms: Donations are being collected in the Atlanta - AGM Building 2, Suite 1100 and Las Vegas - World Market Center A429.
