Let’s bring back Snooty the Manatee
Hello!
I’m Dale Holbrook - a veteran and sculptor living in The Villages, FL.
As a sculptor, I've found it my goal and passion to memorialize the forgotten heroes and icons most deserving of our admiration. I believe these monuments will not only respect those we have lost but also contribute to making our world a better and more loving place.
While familiarizing myself with this local community after moving to the area, I decided to poll local Manatee county residents to help me understand who they most value and admire. To my surprise, 80% responded Snooty the Manatee! As the links at the end of this description will attest, Snooty has been a great friend and mascot of the area throughout his 69 year life.
After many hours of research and input from snooty lovers as well as marine biologists who knew and love Snooty, I have finally finished a preliminary Snooty monument from clay! Many of the residents I spoke to recalled with fondness how every day he would climb up the wall of his enclosure, peeking out to greet his daily visitors. I will be simulating this in my sculpture, which depicts Snooty peeking over a wall, and even simulates the water of the enclosure itself. This design is even family photo friendly so you can walk around and see Snooty from many different angles.
The materials of the wall on which Snooty will be resting will be composed of materials such as concrete or granite depending on location. Cost may be adjusted as part of site preparation determined by need.
So many loved Snooty. For 69 years and many generations, Snooty has endeared so many both in and out of the Manatee County area. I and many others believe he deserves to be remembered and memorialized with this sculpture ! I hope I will find some Snooty lovers or art lovers to contribute to helping me find him a new home! Local officials I have met with and talked to indicated no funds available at this time, but I am confident that with community contributions we can make this dream a reality and the people of Manatee County can make their voices heard. Contributing what you can to make and cast this local legend in real bronze will be a great benefit for future generations to remember Snooty.
If we receive funding for this project, it will make it that much more likely that local officials will approve of a project and help to find Snooty a new permanent home . Millions of people from all over the world over the years have loved and admired Snooty. I would like friends of Snooty to join me to form a group to brainstorm ideas and or even just share their stories of him. I want this to be team effort.
Thank you so much for your time!
-Dale Holbrook
See My Portfolio Website
Info about Snooty:
https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2017/08/remembering-snooty
https://bishopscience.org/remembering-snooty/
