If you walked the aisles of ICAST this year, one booth seemed to have a crowd from the moment the doors opened until they closed each evening.
That booth belonged to Star brite.
People stopped to see the latest products, explore the growing Signature Series, reconnect with old friends, and spend time talking about the outdoors with people who genuinely live it.
But what kept many of them there was something completely unexpected.
In one corner of the booth, a large blank canvas slowly transformed over four days into one of the most meaningful paintings we’ve ever created.
Nearby, Project SeaSafe invited visitors to get their hands on conservation. Cory Redwine and Alex Gorichky spent the week introducing dealers, customers, media, pro anglers, and families to living mangroves, native hard clams, and the restoration work happening throughout Florida’s waterways.
Every conversation led to another.
Someone would stop to ask about a mangrove and end up watching the painting. Someone else would come to see the artwork and leave talking about conservation. Dealers met customers. Industry legends shared stories. Kids asked questions. It became exactly the kind of atmosphere Star brite has worked to create—one where people wanted to stay.
The Signature Series generated tremendous excitement throughout the week, and the combination of products, conservation, and live art kept the booth full from morning until closing.
For the fourth consecutive year, marine artists Derek Redwine and Dennis Friel painted together live during ICAST.
Every year the painting supports a cause.
This year's cause may have been the most personal.
The artwork was created in honor of retired 1st Ranger Battalion Sergeant Capt. Jimmy Armel and the mission of the Knot Lucky Foundation.
Before Dennis and Derek ever picked up a brush, Jimmy carefully wrote the names of fellow Rangers who made the ultimate sacrifice. These are the same heroes Jimmy continues to honor through his Great White shark tagging program, naming each tagged shark in memory of a fallen brother.
Those names became the foundation of the painting.
The original plan was to create a highly realistic Great White over a colorful underpainting.
But as the week unfolded, something unexpected happened.
Visitors kept stopping to comment on the bold colors, the movement, and the raw energy of those first layers. The response was overwhelming.
Instead of covering them up, Dennis and Derek changed course.
The painting evolved into something much more expressive—a Great White filled with vibrant color and movement while still carrying the deeper story hidden beneath every brushstroke.
It’s a reminder that the strongest art often grows naturally, shaped by both the artists and the people experiencing it.
The completed painting will now continue its journey.
On August 29, a date that carries deep personal meaning for Jimmy Armel and his fellow Rangers, the original artwork will be auctioned to benefit the Knot Lucky Foundation. Every dollar raised will help the foundation continue its mission of connecting veterans with healing through fishing, the outdoors, and the community that surrounds them.
If you’d like to place a bid, visit the Knot Lucky Foundation or reach out through Star brite or Project SeaSafe on social media. We’d love to help you become part of the story.
To everyone who visited the booth, watched the painting grow, learned about conservation, explored the Signature Series, or simply stopped to say hello—thank you.
ICAST reminded us once again that when great people, meaningful work, and a shared purpose come together, something bigger than a trade show happens.