ELLSWORTH – June Skinner could hardly contain her delight Wednesday as she ran her fingers over a giant salmon sculpture at New Land Nursery, marveling at each piece of glass.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “That one is definitely going to win a prize.”

The object of her affection was among the 24 fish statues unveiled during a private party to kick off “Fishing for Friends,” a project designed to lure visitors to the area and also raise money for a local nonprofit group.

This summer, the decorated statues will be set up at businesses, churches and other locations all over the city for tourists and locals to admire.

At the end of the season, they will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the Faith in Action Community Connection, an agency that provides transportation and other assistance to elderly and disabled people in the area.

The project is similar to Belfast’s Bearfest, which featured statues of bears.

The debut party was the first chance for artists, business owners and organizers to see all of the decorated fish. They gathered around the statues, nibbling smoked salmon hors d’oeuvres and listening to live music.

Josephine Cooper, program director for Faith in Action, said she was excited to see the pieces in real life, instead of as sketches submitted by the participating artists.

“Some of them don’t look anything like what I expected them to look like,” she said. “They are all so unique and different.”

Skinner’s own statue, which was sponsored by Hancock Oil Co., is painted red, green and white, with a silver belly. Another, created by artist Rosemary Levin, is covered completely by twigs.

Artist Barbara Hathaway of Wilton stood by her piece, which featured a painted scene from a Native American fishing village. Hathaway said she wanted to be part of the project after she saw it featured on a television program.

Her sponsor, Downeast Office Products owner Chris Smith, said he is particularly proud of her work.

“This is the best one,” he said. “I love it.”

Hathaway said she also enjoyed seeing the creations of her fellow artists.

“There is some very good talent in this area,” she said.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Micki Sumpter said the project has already generated a lot of buzz in the community. People have been calling her office to ask about where the salmon will be located.

“It is really bringing the community together,” she said.

Organizers expected more than 150 people to attend the debut party. Roy and Rachel Jack, who own Coastal Interiors, were among those who wanted to catch a glimpse of the statues.

Rachel Jack said she thinks the project will attract a lot of tourists to Ellsworth.

“We drove to Belfast to see the bears, so I think people will drive (here) to see the fish,” she said.