Giant Jellies: Carol Willett

Giant Jellies, by artist Carol Willett, are sculptures on display in Dare Arts Center. This display will be in the outdoor courtyard from September 6 through mid-November.

There is something exquisite about the simplicity of jellies. Their color, shape and size are mesmerizing. This trio of Giant Jellies were created to spark curiosity about these magical creatures. The bells were sculpted over exercise balls, then drilled, sanded, painted and sealed. The colorful tentacles are made from deconstructed bath sponges and recycled beads. The reefs and their creatures are built out of expanding foam and wet sand, plus polymer clay and up-cycled plastic bottles. Electrical conduit, bicycle wheels and plywood make up the armatures.​

After 35 years in public service around the world, Carol retired to the Outer Banks. Since then, she has been repurposing seashells and other beach finds along with plastic containers, cardboard, wire and cloth to create a wide range of improbable but whimsical and hilarious creatures. The Giant Jellies are her first public art installation. Some artists reinterpret what is, Carol imagines what might be.