On behalf of our greater Dallas area community at large, we are asking for your help to support the protection and preservation of the Wyland marine life mural in downtown Dallas, at 505 N. Akard Street. This mural has recently been revealed after the removal of 8 stories high “super-graphic” advertisements, of which do nothing towards enhancing the character or quality of the appearance of Downtown Dallas, nor the experiences of its residents, workers, and visitors to the area.

The City of Dallas has a long-standing history of bringing art to our community and inspiring and educating those that view the art, through cultural awareness and engagement with the environment. The Wyland mural is a well-qualified example which embodies the goals of the Dallas Public Art program and enlivens the environment surrounding the mural.  It is integral to Dallas’ recognition as an International destination for art and culture to continue preserving public works of art, while enriching the lives of members of our community.

Wyland, a well-known marine artist and conservationist, donated this larger-than-life mural to the people and city of Dallas in 1999, with the full support of all city agencies, including the office of Arts and Culture. His life and work are well summarized by the Wyland Art Conservation: “Internationally renowned marine life artist Wyland is one of the most celebrated and recognized artists of our time.  An innovative painter, sculpture, writer, photographer, philanthropist, and filmmaker, he captured the imagination of people everywhere by completing over one hundred monumental marine life murals around the world from 1981-2008. The project, known as the Whaling Walls, remains one of the largest public arts projects in history and continues to be seen by an estimated one billion people each year.”

Dallas recently won an award for the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation--Dallas cares about the environment! The Wyland foundation has also offered to return to Dallas next year to fully restore the mural at no cost to the city. Super-graphics advertisements currently cover much of the landscape of Downtown Dallas and detract from the beauty, history, and culture of this area.

The goal of this petition is to implore the City of Dallas to pass a resolution to protect this mural, and return this beautiful and impactful gift back to the community, and for Clear Channel to stop covering up this space with ads.