The University of Maryland in College Park has launched a Community Art Project that will temporarily populate the campus and surrounding area with 50 artistically modified turtle statues. The fiberglass sculpture is a 4 1/2 ft. tall, grinning cartoon version of Testudo the Terrapin, the University's mascot.

Fitting the usual Community Art Project pattern, "Fear the Turtle" puts the 50 statues in the hands of artists who will paint, bejewel, or otherwise tamper with them. They will be installed with plaques around the campus and surrounding towns. In Fall 2006, the statues will be auctioned to raise money for student scholarships.

[12/14/2005]