ADVISORY, Jan. 14, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
WHAT: Renowned muralist and environmental advocate Wyland will
be restoring one of his most distinctive Whaling Wall
murals in the heart of the City of Vancouver in time for
the 2010 Winter Olympics. The 7,200-square foot mural,
originally painted in 1994, is among one of the most
recognizable landmarks along a major artery into the
city. It is estimated that two-thirds of all traffic
heading into the city for the Olympic Games will pass
the mural at the north end of the Granville Bridge in
Vancouver.
WHERE: The mural is located on the Old Continental Hotel, 1290
Granville St., Vancouver, BC, Canada. The property is
owned and managed by the city of Vancouver.
Details
Rededication Ceremony
Noon Monday, January 18
1290 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
All media are invited to attend.
Reception to Follow
Bill Reid Gallery
639 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
BACKGROUND: The restoration of the landmark mural is a non-profit
project to emphasize the role of international
cooperation to celebrate the environment among all
generations. Wyland will be joined at the mural
rededication ceremony by senior officials from Los
Angeles, Wyland's home, and Vancouver, two sister
communities committed to sustainability. Vancouver City
Councilor Heather Deal and Los Angeles City Councilman
Tom LaBonge are scheduled to attend. Other notable
guests include renowned Canadian Wildlife Artist Robert
Bateman. First painted in 1994, the Vancouver Whaling
Mural is the 56th mural in the artist's series of 100
monumental conservation themed marine life murals know
as the Whaling Walls. Wyland completed is 100th and
final Whaling Wall in Beijing in July 2008 in
conjunction with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Cultural
Festival. The Whaling Wall mural campaign spans 79
cities in 13 countries around the world, including the
world's largest mural in the Guinness Book of Records.
SUPPORTERS: Title Sponsor is J.J. Keller Foundation, Inc., a Neenah,
Wis.-based private foundation. Other supporting
organizations include: Get to Know Program, Pure
Painters, and the City of Vancouver. J.J. Keller
Foundation Director James Keller states, "We support
Wyland and the Wyland Foundation and are very proud to
support this restoration project to beautify the city of
Vancouver as it opens its doors to the world."
For information, visit www.wylandfoundation.org. For more information about the artist, please visit www.wyland.com.