Page 115 - Q01-2021 Fins Magazine

Mermaid Odette has been wearing many hats as a professional She is also very fond of the AZ mermaid community. Making
mermaid in the desert oasis of Tucson, AZ for over a decade. sure to give a “shout out to the Arizona merpod. Love you
guys!”
Designing costumes at the age of 13, she was asked to make An amazing individual with a strong passion for conservation,
a mermaid tail. Through the process of making the tail, she
MERMAID became “obsessed” with how to make it better. Mermaid Odette is a multi-talented figure in the Arizona mer-
community. When asked about the future, “I’m hoping that
“I made a fabric tail with a monofin in it and was like, ‘Oh
a lot more people opening up and being more accepting. You
my god, this is amazing!’ And then you could swim it? That’s the community will keep growing and being accepting. I see
ODETTE when I became a mermaid.” can ask (professional mermaids) about things and that wasn’t
always the case. That’s one thing we need to keep doing.”
With a history of making fabric tails and having made her own
by Patricia Pastrano
silicone tail, she has thoughts to someday sell them. “I’m not
sure yet.”

As a performer, she has worked at aquariums, a dolphin tank
resort and does story telling. She has performed at Valley of
the Moon, a children’s fantasy park and the annual Return of
the Mermaids parade.

In regards to the parade, she added “A lot of mermaids always
ask if they can be a part of it. Just contact me. I have a huge
20 foot lagoon and I need mers all the time. So hit me up.”

Currently studying marine sciences, she utilizes STEM
education, mermaid stories and other inventive methods to
educate children about conservation.

“I can get teary eyed about this. I love the kids’ reactions.
When they start to believe in the story, it’s like a trip to
Disneyland. We walk in the park. Everywhere you go is
happy. I just love that.”

Learn more about Mermaid Odette
www.themermaidodette.com Photo Credit:
114 FB: OdetteSirene Memories Imagined - Eric Kelsey 115
@MermaidOdette @MemoriesImagined