The Coral Throne Press
Public Impact, and Media Opportunities
Pompano Beach is a wonderful place, and I would have loved for The Coral Throne™ to live there.
Learn more about the city at pompanobeachfl.gov.
In 2025, I was selected as the winner of the sculpture commission for Shipwreck Park by the City of Pompano Beach, Florida.
I then proceeded to build a full scope public art plan, tourism campaign, sculpture brand, Instagram pages, and dedicated web presence for The Coral Throne™.
Welcome to CoralThrone.com
This was all intended to uplift Pompano Beach and drive tourism and economic opportunity, all the while creating and installing a world-class, iconic metal sculpture.
Despite 288,000+ reel views, 25,000+ site visits in one two week period, diver and reef conservation interest from over 25 countries…
…the selected sculpture was canceled after I proposed revisions to the contract.
During that time, divers and conservationists expressed strong interest in the project.
The City stated that its contracts are issued as-is, and that editing, revisions, or negotiation were not permitted.
To be clear: a city, dive site, luxury hotel, or any commissioning body has every right to ask for whatever terms it believes are appropriate. I don't deny that.
An artist also has the right to politely say no.
In the end, we couldn’t agree on intellectual property and other terms.
Specifically, the proposed agreement required:
> Transfer of full intellectual property ownership of the sculpture
> Assignment of all derivative rights, in perpetuity
> Contract language broad enough to restrict future underwater or throne-based sculpture concepts anywhere
> An attached exhibit asserting ownership and control over this website
> Indeterminate end dates and no clear liability caps for insurance
Protections against direct duplication are normal in public art.
Permanent ownership of an artist’s body of work — past and future — is not.
“No duplicates”? Reasonable.
“Never another underwater throne sculpture, anywhere, ever”?
Not so much.
So I declined. And kept my rights.
Following that decision, I received a request to clarify municipal affiliation, which included a cease and desist letter.
THEREFORE:
This website is no longer affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated in any way with the City of Pompano Beach, Florida.
No hard feelings — just different contracts.
We’re good.
Why This Site Still Exists;
This site remains online as a demonstration project — documenting what The Coral Throne™ can deliver.
It shows how a site-specific sculpture concept can resonate globally within the dive and public-art communities, driving tourism and economic impact.
The Coral Throne™ is not tied to one city or one location.
So now, The Coral Throne™ is open and avaliable to any City, dive sites, luxury hotel, destinations, resorts, and partners world
-wide that dreams bigger.
NOTE:
There are no replicas.
Every Coral Throne™ installation is a one-of-a-kind sculpture, designed exclusively for its site and commissioning partner.
To those who see the opportunity and want to explore what it could become in their waters.
The Coral Throne™ is available. To any location bold enough to have it.
Questions? → michael@michaelherold.com
Read the full backstory here.
Site language is being updated in good faith to clarify municipal affiliation.
The Coral Throne Press
Public Impact, and Media Opportunities
What Happened to the Coral Throne in Pompano Beach?
The Coral Throne was originally selected for permanent underwater installation off the coast of Pompano Beach, Florida — a monumental sculpture designed to inspire divers, boost marine tourism, and evolve into a living reef over time.
The project gained strong momentum, generating 288,000 Instagram reel views and 25,000 website visits in a two-week period, with enthusiastic support from the dive and conservation communities.
Then it was canceled.
After months of collaboration, the project ended when I declined to sign a non-negotiable contract that would have permanently transferred all copyrights, design rights, and derivative use of the Coral Throne to the city and its partners.
In short: I could no longer build on my own idea — but others could.
As an artist, I believe in partnership, not forfeiture.
I offered generous, standard terms for public display and co-promotion. But I was unwilling to permanently surrender creative ownership.
No drama.
Just a firm line.
The Coral Throne still exists — and the full story is worth telling.
“I was asked to give away the Coral Throne — not just the sculpture, but the entire idea.
I said no.” — Michael Herold
Read the full backstory and contract summary here.
🗞️ For Press & Media Inquiries
A detailed timeline and contract summary are available for those who want to understand the decision more deeply.
Journalists and editors interested in covering the Coral Throne story, public art contract disputes, or broader questions of creative rights in municipal projects are welcome to reach out:
Michael Herold
📧 coralthrone@gmail.com
📷 Instagram: @thecoralthrone | @heroldsculpture
🌐 Website: www.coralthrone.com
🌐 Artist Website: www.michaelherold.com
📰 Previous Press & Publicity Page Prior to Cancelation:
The Coral Throne™ is expected to draw attention far and wide — from divers and public art lovers to journalists, environmentalists, and global travelers.
It’s not just a sculpture. It’s a story — one rooted in marine conservation, artistic imagination, and the dream of creating something unforgettable beneath the sea.
📣
A Vision for Underwater Art & Eco-Tourism
Public art of this caliber creates lasting visibility. The Coral Throne offers a compelling media narrative that highlights:
* The potential for destination cities to attract international attention
* The role of underwater sculpture in conservation, education, and cultural identity
🗞️ Potential Media Coverage
This project presents opportunities for positive coverage in:
* Diving and Scuba Magazines
* National & international travel publications
* Public art and design magazines
* Marine and conservation outlets
* Local and regional news
* Social media from divers, creators, and influencers
🎯 Suggested Story Angles
* Art as an Economic Driver – How public art boosts tourism and local business
* Diving into Art – The global trend of underwater sculpture parks
* From Beach to Reef – Following The Coral Throne’s two lives above and below the surface
* Artist Profile – Michael Herold’s creative approach to blending geometry, humor, and environmentalism
🤝 For Press Inquiries
We welcome interviews, features, and collaborative media opportunities.
🔍 Coverage Coming Soon
As The Coral Throne takes shape, this page will be updated with press quotes, features, and links.
In the meantime, if you’re a journalist, editor, or content creator looking for a story that blends myth, metal, reef-building, and Florida magic…
You’ve found it.
Enjoy…
👑 The Coral Throne! 👑
📸 Smile Big 📸
The Coral Throne is built for memories. Everyone wants the perfect shot —
so hang tight and strike your pose when it’s your moment.
🤿 Dive into imagination.
🪑 Take your seat.
👑 Claim your crown.
It’s your next favorite memory!
Want to explore the world behind it?
Explore The Coral Throne:
coralthrone.com
