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| Tube Dude Fishing |
Miami, FL -- Three years ago, former yacht builder
Scott Gerber sought to find a new outlet for his energies and some spare boat building materials and decided to create a metal sculpture. He dubbed it the"TUBE DUDE" and placed it on his dock.The simple, smiling and beguiling stick figure sculptures have become a structural art sensation with over 900 sculpted and shipped as far as Paris, France: Tube Dude's next stop is the Concept Boats booth 3140 outside the Miami Beach Convention Center, at the Progressive Miami International Boat Show.
Seeing the Tube Dude's new gallery on Sarasota, Florida's quaint Main Street, neighbor Chip Fendt, a marine industry veteran and salesman for Concept Boats, foresaw eye-catching sign holders for the Boat Show booth. "These sculptures just make everyone smile-I thought it would be a great way to convey the fun of boating and Concept agreed!" said Fendt.
So Gerber went back to work designing for boats--but this time, sporty center consoles instead of his own brand of luxury yachts. The Tube Dudes on display will include boat passengers, show attendees, sign holders and will offer the perfect "photo opp" for passersby to commemorate their visit to the one of the world's most popular boat shows.
 Gerber is happy to see his sculptures back in the marine industry since his exit was prompted by the recessionary cut back in 2008. Undaunted, he found inspiration in creating a new career and also in utilizing the welding, powder coating and manufacturing capabilities of his company. "This is a real 'American Dream' story," says Gerber, "Who would have thought that all my ambitions and success--and failure--in the yacht industry would lead to stick figure art that is making people everywhere smile and be happy?"
A recent growth spurt and a County grant has  enabled Gerber to increase the size and location of the company and hire 8 staff and counting. Gerber also has a number of clients in Miami who haveTube Dudes in their homes. The sculptures are used as mailbox, sign, towel and bottle holders, as representations of hobbies and professions, or even just to share a smile and good will.
Tube Dudes range in size, color and can be customized in countless ways--from kids, to pets to Dudettes. Made of schedule-40, marine-grade aluminum, they weigh approximately 20 pounds, have a lifetime warranty and are priced from approximately $1,200 and up depending on size and complexity. Mini-sized sculptures are priced from $200 and up. Standard sign holders are also available for rent; franchise, distributor and gallery inquiries are welcomed.
For more information, visit www.tube-dude.com or call 941-312-6286.
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