Community housing resources
Manatee Madness brought together 15 local artists who each painted a manatee mailbox to be displayed on Sanibel. They were then auctioned off to raise money for Community Housing & Resources. CHR provides safe, quality, affordable housing for families and individuals who work in and serve our island communities.
It was once said that sailors spotted mermaids while at sea but they were seeing manatees. This wasn't your ordinary manatee and viewers may have seen a mermaid after all. Inspired from the Kindred Spirit mailbox in North Carolina that holds hopes, prayers and dreams of visitors who travel to the mailbox on a secluded beach. While on display visitors could write their secrets in the "sand" to the Mythical Mermaid.
Manatee Madness | 2021 | MYthical mermaid
For my second year participating in Manatee Madness for CHR, the Sanibel Traveler was inspired by old luggage covered in stickers from traveling. The manatee was painted with a variety of designs to mimic stickers from many favorite places on Sanibel and Captiva.
Manatee Madness 2.0 | 2022 | Sanibel traveler
In September 2022, artists were all set receive their hearts to start painting for the 2023 fundraiser until Hurricane Ian came through Southwest Florida. Following the storm, CHR selected 4 artists to kick off Give Your Heart to CHR. Sanibel Oasis along with 3 other hearts were introduced to the community in March 2023 and were on display all summer while 11 more artists got started painting their hearts. All 15 hearts are now currently on display to view at different locations on Sanibel. All hearts will be auctioned off in February 2024 at the Give Your Heart to CHR Gallery Gala.
