WYLAND TO PAINT FINAL U.S. "WHALING WALL" FEB. 1-12
Internationally renowned marine life artist Wyland, shown here during the painting of one of his celebrated "Whaling Wall" murals, plans to paint his final U.S. wall in Key Largo Feb. 1-12. (Photo by Gary Firstenberg)
You're invited to watch Wyland transform this relatively plain building into a magnificent "Whaling Wall" depicting the Florida Keys' living coral reef. Join Wyland at the Key Largo wall site Feb. 1-12 to be part of his last U.S. "Whaling Wall" project. (Photo by Jim Weir)
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys -- He has painted 94 massive marine life murals, called "Whaling Walls," donating his time and talents on each one to raise awareness about the need to protect the world’s oceans and their inhabitants. From Feb. 1 through Feb. 12, master marine life artist Wyland is to create his 95th "Whaling Wall" in Key Largo, at the gateway to the Florida Keys.
Internationally acclaimed as a conservationist as well as an environmental artist, Wyland plans to paint 100 of his signature marine life murals. The Key Largo "Whaling Wall," the last mural he intends to paint in the United States, is to showcase North America's only living contiguous barrier coral reef, which parallels the Keys.
"It's my gift to the Florida Keys and all the great people who live and visit here," said Wyland, a part-time Keys resident and avid diver.
The painting is to wrap around all four sides of a building located at mile marker 99.2 on U.S. Highway 1. It will be visible to everyone driving into and out of the Florida Keys.
Wyland’s previous life-size Whaling Walls can be seen around the U.S. and in other countries including Japan, Australia, France and New Zealand. One mural is located in Key West's Historic Seaport, and another fronts on U.S. 1 in Marathon, at the midpoint of the Florida Keys.
As well as his murals, the artist is renowned for smaller paintings and sculptures that portray whales, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, coral reef life and other ocean inhabitants. He says he draws ongoing inspiration from diving in the Keys.
"I've been diving in the Florida Keys for over 20 years, and this is some of the best diving in the world," said Wyland. "The light and the pristine beauty, above and below, are represented in my paintings, my sculptures and even in my murals."
For more than 25 years Wyland has used his art to increase awareness about the need to preserve and protect the world's marine environment. In 1993 he established the Wyland Foundation, a publicly supported environmental education organization; in 1998, the United Nations declared him the official artist of the International Year of the Ocean.
Lovers of art and the ocean environment are invited to watch Wyland paint his final U.S. "Whaling Wall" Feb. 1-12. In addition to observing the creation of the historic mural, visitors to the Key Largo site can view a display of Wyland's work -- from classic marine life images and bronze sculptures to Lucite sculptures and tables incorporating depictions of sea creatures.
Wyland is to host a dedication ceremony for the Key Largo "Whaling Wall" Monday, Feb. 12.
Stay tuned to this website for regular updates on Wyland's plans for his exciting Key Largo project. For further information, call (800) 469-3069 Monday through Friday.
To find out about Key Largo accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (305) 451-4747 or (800) 822-1088, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
