Public Art Turtle Unveiling: May 22

The Flagler County Cultural Council (FC3) is excited to announce “HETTY” as the next turtle to be unveiled on the public art TURTLE TRAIL. 

HETTY was inspired by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), and is well known for his paintings “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and “View of Delft”, the famous painting that depicts the city of the Netherlands where he lived. 

HETTY replaces the beautiful turtle QUILTY (turtle #6) that was stolen from her perch at this private park on Waterfront Drive. Bill and Pat Verhagen very generously agreed to replace Quilty by sponsoring HETTY. Quilty has been missing since January 2022 and despite the rewards offered for her safe return, her whereabouts are unknown. 

Bill and Pat share how they have enjoyed owning a collection of Delft pieces and Dutch artwork passed on from Bill’s immediate family, which traces their Dutch heritage to the early 1700s and the inspiration this brought them for the replacement turtle. Bill is very proud to name the turtle after his first cousin, Hetty, who continues to live just outside of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

Artist Bettie Eubanks has been a resident of Palm Coast for twenty years. She has contributed her artwork and talent in support of our community through the Palm Coast Arts Foundation, the African American Cultural Society, Beth Judah, and for the second time, to our Turtle Trail. Bettie expressed pleasure at being asked to create “Hetty” for the beautification of Palm Coast. 

“The Flagler County Cultural Council (FC3) is touched at the dedication and commitment to public art that both Bettie Eubanks and Bill and Pat Verhagen have expressed by providing the community with this extraordinary sculpture. Public art is just that, public. It is the intent of this program to provide our residents and guests this beautiful Turtle Trail to learn and share in the beauty of art”, stated Nancy Crouch, Chair of the Flagler County Cultural Council. 

The public is invited to attend the unveiling of HETTY in the park at Waterfront Drive and Colbert Lane, Palm Coast, on Thursday, May 22, at 10:00 am.