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Aug 31, 2004
KEY WEST,
Florida Keys — Internationally acclaimed marine life artist
and environmentalist Wyland is to stage the national finale
of his 16-city East Coast coastal cleanup Tuesday, Aug. 31,
in Key West.
Best known for
his life-size “Whaling Wall” murals, painted in 68 cities
around the world to promote ocean conservation, Wyland began
his 1,770-mile Ocean Challenge Coastal Cleanup Aug. 3 in Old
Orchard Beach, Maine. The goal of the project is to raise
funds for environmental education and to inspire more than a
million East Coast residents and visitors to protect and
preserve the nation’s marine habitats.
“The theme is
one million people will make a difference,” said Wyland, who
has been recognized by the United Nations for his
environmental outreach activities. “We’re hoping to inspire
all the people that participate to end up in Key West for
the last leg.”
A longtime
supporter of Florida Keys marine conservation organizations
including Reef Relief and the Dolphin Research Center, the
artist has a home and three galleries in the Keys. He
credits scuba diving on the Keys’ living coral reef with
being an ongoing inspiration for his marine life paintings
and sculptures.
The Key West
coastal cleanup is to run 7-11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31,
headquartered at the site of Wyland’s Key West “Whaling
Wall” mural (201 William St. in the island’s Historic
Seaport district). Participants will be given gloves and
collection bags, and encouraged to choose a section of
Florida Keys waterfront or beach to beautify. All collected
trash is to be surveyed and sorted for recycling.
Following the
cleanup, participants are invited to join Wyland at the
“Whaling Wall” site for an environmental rally and beach
party celebrating the completion of the Maine-to–Key West
effort. Attractions are to include ocean art activities with
Wyland, prizes and giveaways, celebrity guests, an art
festival and live music by the award-winning alternative
rock band
34Below.
The national
finale of Wyland’s coastal cleanup is to kick off a week of
environmental- and art-themed grand opening festivities for
the artist’s new gallery at 623 Duval St. in Key West.
Highlights are
to include a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the gallery and an
unveiling of Wyland’s most recent environmental art — set
for 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4.
Highlights are
to include a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the gallery and an
unveiling of Wyland’s most recent environmental art — set
for 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4.
Wyland’s
coastal cleanup is spearheaded by the not-for-profit Wyland
Foundation in conjunction with San Diego’s Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps,
the Project AWARE Foundation and the Professional
Association of Diving Instructors. To participate in the
cleanup and receive updates about it, visit
www.wylandoceanchallenge.org.
—
Keys Headlines
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