Have you met Stargazer? This five-foot tall beauty is always smiling, and greets everyone who enters the lobby at ‘Tween Waters Inn. Stargazer is actually a seahorse, maybe you’ve seen her (or him?), even taken a photo, but do you know its colorful history?
A seahorse on a mission
Starting out as a white fiberglass statue, Stargazer was one of 40 seahorses ‘born’ in Wisconsin and created for a fundraiser called “A Seahorse Dream,” to benefit the building of a new children’s hospital in Ft Myers.
Citizens and businesses ‘sponsored’ the seahorses, each hand-painted by a Florida artist. ‘Tween Waters Inn was a Gold sponsor, and the artist that brought their seahorse to life was Cathie Zurich-Wus.
And breathe life into the seahorse, she did! Bright shades of pink and blue were chosen for their childlike vibrancy – and ability to promote joy – like the whimsical creatures on a carousel. To achieve such brilliancy, Cathie painted Stargazer three times, using house paint, which is very difficult to work with. Swarovsky crystals make her eyes sparkle and clear ornaments resemble bubbles from the sea. Once completed (in only two weeks!), it was clear-coated at an auto-body shop. Who knew?
Is Stargazer a boy or girl?
Cathie says the choice is in the eye of the beholder, and the pink and blue support whatever your choice. (I think she’s a girl, but my husband thinks he’s a boy.)
Where did the name come from?
Because Captiva is an ideal place to serenely gaze upon the stars, away from harsh city lights, in paradise, Cathie named him Stargazer. Stars can lead you through dark waters, and Stargazer is always there to calm fears.
Stargazer’s mission – complete
‘A Seahorse Dream’ raised more than $380,000 and the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida opened in May of this year. It took more than six years and $200 million to complete.
We hope you never need to go, but if you do, look for Stargazer’s royal brother and sister in the lobby – a King and Queen seahorse, complete with sparkling crowns, also painted by Cathie Zurich-Wus.
And next time you’re at ‘Tween Waters Inn, please come introduce your children to Stargazer!
