Young Gray Whale

Wyland, 1982

In 2008, twenty-seven years after Wyland’s quest began, the artist and the Wyland Foundation completed the monumental goal of painting 100 life-size public marine murals. These murals were painted in life-size dimensions to increase appreciation and understanding for aquatic habitats and the life within. Perhaps, most importantly, they have reshaped attitudes about marine life conservation.

“We know now that water connects all the countries of the world,” Wyland says. “Our goal with these projects over the last three decades has been to convey the urgency of conservation issues to the public. The health of our ocean and waterways are in jeopardy, not to mention the thousands of marine animals and plants that face extinction if we do nothing.” The completed Wyland Walls campaign is one of the largest art-in-public-places projects in history, spanning five continents, 17 countries, and 79 cities around the globe. Dedicated March 20th, 1982 By Bill Toomey, Olympic Decathlon