Pool's ‘Follow the Fish’ Art Created with PolyOne Materials

There’s a new fish at, appropriately, the Ellen Trivonovich Municipal Pool in Avon Lake.

“Follow the Fish Art and Adventure Trail” is a brand new public art campaign Lorain County celebrating Lorain County’s local artists, communities, businesses and natural environment.

More than 80 walleye and perch kinetic sculptures, many placed on poles that allow them to move in the wind, have been “swimming” their way throughout Lorain County and on July 12, one of the larger fish, with economic development ties to Avon Lake, debuted at the pool.

The four-foot walleye sculpture, created by North Ridgeville sculptor Jim Gundlach and painted by Lorain artist Anne Kallenda, was housed at PolyOne before moving to the pool in an unveiling ceremony July 12.

Kallenda used PolyOne materials mixed with paint that resulted in a colorful, shimmering finished product.

“It was a really special collaboration using new materials from a leader in your community,” artist/Avon Lake project coordinator Joan Perch (really) said of the PolyOne products Kallenda used.

Mayor Greg Zilka, Avon Lake Recreation Director Gary Gerrone and Perch helped unveil the fish last Friday.

“It celebrates art, but it also has an economic development component,” Zilka said.

The walleye at the pool will be hung from the overhang near the aquatic center’s entrance.

Also attending the unveiling were Avon Lake artists and husband and wife, Gail and Sean Crumb. They painted two of the eight sculptures currently on display, or that will be on display, in Avon Lake. Their sculptures, mounted on poles, will be located at Veterans Memorial Park in Avon Lake I the near future.

Fish are currently on display in Avon Lake at the Avon Lake Public Library, Legacy Grille, The Landings, The Quarry and John Christ Winery.

“Local artists in Lorain County are not celebrated,” Perch said. “They don’t always have a local opportunity to come together and this is one of them.”

She also noted the economic development connection.

“This is about connecting art and artist to businesses and environment and helping integrate art that enhances community life and spurs economic development,” Perch said. “It’s a little bigger than just promoting art.”

About Follow the Fish

Conceived and led by artists, business and community leaders, this award-winning project celebrates art and artists who live and work in Lorain County.

Schools of fish based on Lake Erie species--- walleye and perch ---have been designed for Follow the Fish Art and Adventure Trails by North Ridgeville sculptor Jim Gundlach. The sculptures are painted and decorated by paid Lorain County professional artists, as well as student artists and school and community groups

Conceived and led by artists, business and community leaders, this award-winning project celebrates art and artists who live and work in Lorain County.

Since debuting in the spring, more than 80 kinetic fish sculptures have made their away across Lorain County and adjacent Erie County.

From May through October, schools of artistically painted fish are swimming in the wind, leading residents and visitors to experience Lorain County and its local art merchants, restaurants, recreation, parks and beaches, special events, festivals and more.

They will then be housed for the winter. Gundlach said he expects more fish to debut next year and is hoping local artists step forward with their interest in participating in the project.

The campaign’s Facebook page has photos and locations of the fish trail.

This is the first year for the Follow the Fish trail.

 “We creatively connect them to our unique communities, merchants, businesses, and natural environment -- highlighting what is creative, special and worth finding by Following the Fish,” the project’s website said.

The sculptures are painted and decorated by paid Lorain County professional artists, as well as student artists and school and community groups.