What began as an idea for an art installation has evolved into a collaboration between Dare Arts and the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island that will educate residents and visitors about jellies this fall.

For the last several months, artist Carol Willett has been building a trio of jelly sculptures at her home studio in Southern Shores.

“Complexity is intriguing, but there is something exquisite in the utter simplicity of jellies, and their uniqueness is the theme of these sculptures,” said artist Carol Willett. “To create the bells, I sculpted over exercise balls, then drilled, sanded, painted and sealed them. The colorful tentacles are made out of deconstructed bath sponges and recycled beads. Electrical conduit, bicycle wheels and plywood make up the armatures. The coral reefs, sponges and anemones on the bottom of the sculptures are built out of expanding foam and wet sand, plus polymer clay and upcycled plastic bottles.”

The Giant Jellies installation will debut in Dare Arts’ Courtyard at 6:00 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 6 during First Friday in downtown Manteo. The opening is free and open to the public, and guests will have the opportunity to meet Carol and purchase a signed copy of her book Creatures of Imagination at the event.

Since 2011, over 500 Creatures of Imagination have emerged from Carol’s home studio. She is known for repurposing a wide range of materials to create improbable, but whimsical and hilarious creatures. Giant Jellies is Carol’s first public art installation.

To enhance the installation experience, Dare Arts teamed up with their friends at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island to create “Jelly Facts” which are digitally designed panels with scientific facts about jellies.

“Every summer, thousands of people visit the aquarium wanting to learn more about the aquatic wildlife that inhabits our oceans,” said Special Events Coordinator at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island and Dare Arts Board Member O’Anna Rose. “We’re no strangers to jellies here on the Outer Banks and our Delicate Drifters gallery is one of the most visually stimulating rooms in the entire facility. The aquarium is thrilled to be a part of this collaboration with Dare Arts to continue to educate the public about these intricate creatures not just through scientific facts, but through art as well.”

Giant Jellies will be on display in The Courtyard at Dare Arts from September 6 through mid-November.

Guests of the installation are encouraged to visit the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island to view live jellies, and additional jelly art by Carol Willett this fall.

For more information about this installation and other exhibitions at Dare Arts, visit DareArts.org or call 252 473 5558.

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.

The N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, close to Roanoke Island Festival Park, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission: ages 3–12, $10.95; ages 13–61, $12.95; ages 62 +, $11.95. Children 2 and under and North Carolina Aquarium Society members are admitted free of charge.