AW Stories of the Month

Manatees are Big in Miami Beach!

By Lynda Saltz

Two huge murals in Miami Beach were painted on May 3^rd and 4^th on the Lincoln Road Mall for art, ocean and water conservation and, yes, just plain fun.  For two days, the renowned artist and conservationist, Wyland, and students of the Miami Beach public schools painted two marine murals which featured a huge Florida manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal. It’s a large aquatic relative of the elephant, but even with its creased skin and grayish brown color, it’s kind of charming.

With an art project, one can take a serious subject and turn it into something that is cool so it will appeal to kids. “I’ve painted with a million kids around the world,” said Wyland. “It’s the most fun I have and the most important work I can do. And you can find out what the kids are thinking.” And then Wyland turned to the students and said,” So kids, we’re going to do some painting today!”  And the first day of a two-day mural project began. Forty fourth- graders from North Beach Elementary School in Miami Beach were handed t-shirts and paints. The kids were excited and ready to go. I thought: Look how fast Wyland is! Up on a scaffold with a roller in no time at all. He painted the sky, ocean and the giant manatee; the kids did the rest. They painted the first of two murals, each 10 feet by 45 feet wide with indigenous marine life, including eels and a variety of colorful fish and turtles.

Manatees are a big issue in Miami Beach and the state of Florida would like them protected. They are an endangered species- not from other marine predators, but are in danger from boats that run over them. Only about 2000 Florida manatees are left around here. The conservationists advise visitors to drive boats responsibly in manatee zones.

Every time a species disappears, the ecological balance is off.

The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce collaborated with Team Wyland to paint two murals with a subtext of water conservation. The fourth- graders from six Miami Beach public schools and the Hebrew Academy learned an important environmental lesson which began in April with water conservation in their science classes. To prepare for the water conservation project, the school kids collected rain water in barrels decorated with a Wyland Design and then irrigated the gardens at their schools.

Wyland grew up in Michigan and attended Lamphere High School where he was in charge of painting his 25th “whaling wall” in the pool area of his high school. Robert Wyland (known simply as Wyland), is an artist best known for painting large, outdoor murals of whales and other ocean life. As a child, he was influenced by Captain Jacques Cousteau and wanted to be involved in the study of marine life and the conservation of the environment. Having lived in California and Hawaii, Wyland is now a permanent resident in the Keys.

The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce decided that this art mural project was necessary for the city of Miami Beach because it incorporates the community, businesses, residents, visitors, and education. It’s about encouraging their children to be responsible for making this a great place to live; arts and culture are a very important part of Miami Beach. Since they knew that Wyland cares about the environment, they approached him about the mural project. The staff is grateful to all their members, teachers and especially President Jerry Libbin. This was his brainchild.

Jerry Libbin, President of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce said, “Wyland is making my dream come true. When I was down in Key West, my wife and I went into one the galleries. We walked in and saw Wyland’s book on China where he flew 2000 children to Beijing from all around the world to paint a series of murals that were about ½ mile long. Libbin thought, “I’ll find Wyland and see what he can do for our community in Miami Beach. He’s so gracious. Miami Beach wanted to participate in a water conservation project and we needed rain water barrels. Dade County also got new shower heads. We’re going to auction off the murals-1/3 to support the arts, 1/3 to Wyland Foundation and 1/3 to kids.  And then the money from the sale of 300 signed lithographs and money will go to designated charities. One member donated the t-shirts. “

“I’ve been to 50 states and one hundred countries,” Wyland stated. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done. I’m proud to share my art. Miami Beach is about art, culture and community so it’s a great honor to be here. Marine life is important to the health of the ocean. Anyway, I don’t consider this a job; I’m an artist so it’s a lot of fun. Yesterday, I was painting another mural in New Orleans with the kids. I heard that South Florida has the best artists in the world. We challenge every mayor in the nation to work on water conservation. And remember, kids, you are ambassadors to the planet. We can do simple things, but great things… and make a difference.”

Lynda Saltz is a freelance arts writer and former Managing Editor of the Newbury Street and Back Bay Guide in Boston.

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Wyland Art Mural Project

The goal of the project is to raise money to be donated back to the Miami Beach Education Foundation, the Chamber’s 501c3 which raises money to provide scholarships for Beach High Students and programming money for the International Bachelorette Programs in the City of Miami Beach, as well the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council and the Wyland Foundation. Opportunities include the sale of the 10×45 canvas produced by Wyland and the students as well as through production of limited edition lithographs of the original Wyland Design.