Life-size manatees are coming to Main Street.  Brought to Sarasota by the SRQ Wellness Foundation, the aggregation of these fiberglass figures are the result of an effort to highlight local artists while raising money for those seeking integrated health care. Founded in 2023 by Katherine Hermes, the SRQ Wellness Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to generate funds for IV nutrition to patients dealing with colostomy, cancer, anorexia and occasionally, to their caregivers for general nutrition. Their IV vitamin-based nutrition is proven to aid people who are unable to process nutrition through their gastrointestinal tract. 

As the owner of SRQ Med Spa, Hermes has also helped treat cancer patients unable to afford their services with complimentary IV vitamin infusions. “SRQ Wellness Foundation was created to give the community the opportunity to help many people going through very difficult times to both thrive and survive,” says Hermes, “Sarasota is an amazing and generous community that supports a stunning array of amazing non-profits.”

Inspired by CowParade, a concept that originated in Chicago which featured over 300 life-size fiberglass cows, the idea was this—to strengthen the thread that connects local art and community, with a symbolized collection to commemorate the bond. Utilizing Chicago’s model, the SRQ Wellness Foundation is giving local businesses the ability to sponsor or cosponsor a manatee that will then be painted by local artists along with their partners Booker High School and Ringling College of Art and Design. After the manatees are revealed in the beginning of October 2024, the whimsical mammals will be installed in the local business area downtown for the holiday season before they are purchased at a fundraising event for the SRQ Wellness Foundation. 

Sarasota-based painter Virginia Bright was scrolling through Facebook when she landed on a request for artists from SRQ Wellness. “I was reading through their website and I thought, I can’t believe there hasn’t been something like this in Sarasota before,” says Bright, referring to the fact that the community was never made aware that SRQ Med Spa helps people in need. After reaching out to Hermes, Bright volunteered to paint a manatee and took on a networking role, contacting other local artists to involve them in the project. “I am so excited to connect with these artists,” says Bright, “But really, I hope the community sees that Sarasota is more than just the people and the businesses. We come together as one—it’s like family here.” Bright herself will be creating the manatee for Bread Bandits, a bread bakery that produces and sells local high quality, handmade breads and pastries sold at their retail store at 3546 S Osprey Avenue in Sarasota and at the Lakewood Ranch and Siesta Key Farmers Markets.

Sponsor and donor information is available on SRQ Med Spa’s website, srqmedspa.com or at their Give Butter page, givebutter.com/manateesonmain.com