TAMPA – Every year, around the world, about 100 million sharks are killed for their fins. Even though they are vital to the marine ecosystem, the issue often gets overlooked. Local artist and entrepreneur, Jessica Adanich, imagines if sharks were fuzzy, people would care more about their survival.
Adanich, known for her installation, Fuzzy Sharks, which is based on the theory of biophilia started creating this work in 2006 while working on her BFA at the Cleveland Institute of Art. She moved from Ohio to Florida in 2019 to fulfill a lifelong dream of living near the water to help inspire change right where the ocean touches land.
Biophilia is the idea that we are drawn and attached to things that are adorable and aesthetically pleasing. As a result, her installation begs the question, if sharks were fuzzy, would we care more about their conservation?
“Sharks are an incredibly important species in our ocean ecosystems. Through history, there have been cultural events that have negatively altered the way we view them,” said Adanich. “They are amazing creatures that are heavily misunderstood. Through my artwork my mission is to change people’s perception of sharks and educate them.”
Adanich has introduced a mini fuzzy shark plush toy to help change their negative shark reputation to a positive one where people, children and adults alike, can begin to embrace and aid in their preservation.
A family-friendly fundraiser will be open to the public at the Palma Ceia Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on August 31 at 2819 MacDill Avenue in Tampa from 6-8pm. The event will be full of games, prizes and shark education.
You can support the Fuzzy Shark Kickstarter campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/designpod/mini-fuzzy-shark.
