NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and WeatherThe Future of the Trio of Whale Tails

The Future of the Trio of Whale Tails

The tale of a trio of whale tails is getting a little interesting. Charlottesville City Council is looking to buy one of the coveted pieces of art and send the other two packing.

They have become a familiar sight along the Route 250 Bypass, three giant wooden tails that stick up out of the middle of the hill at the corner of the bypass and Dairy Road. Next month, city council is set to acquire one of the whale tails.

The artist is Thomas Givens of Charlottesville. Under the agreement, the city would pay Givens a monthly fee of $150 with the lease term being 30 months, for a total of $4,500. The whale tails have an estimated value of $36,000.

Charlottesville City Councilor Dave Norris said, "I'm hopeful we can preserve at least some piece of that artwork for continual display along 250. I'm not interested in spending a whole lot of money doing it."

The city has purchased seven Art in Place pieces since 2001. In 2003, a piece was donated to Charlottesville.

As for the fate of the other two tails, Givens says that is up in the air. It is likely that he will take them on the road and put them on display in other cities.