Acclaimed Ocean Artist Wyland Paints His First Whaling Wall in New Zealand at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1999--

The Wyland Foundation, with the Cousteau Society, Thursday announced acclaimed marine life artist Wyland's first Whaling Wall to be painted in Auckland at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum located at 1452155 Quay St., beginning Oct. 8, 1999.

Wyland is part of Abracadabra's Americas Cup racing team's 17th man and one of the sponsors with Aloha Racing from the state of Hawaii.

Wyland stated, "I am very proud to paint my 84th Whaling Wall showcasing New Zealand's fantastic marine life in Auckland to promote the conservation of our world's oceans."

The artist just completed painting on the two Abracadabra America's Cup Racing Yachts, Hawaii's entry into the America's Cup Race, featuring life-size humpback whales, dolphins, and other colorful Hawaii marine life.

Sir Peter Blake of the Cousteau Society and head of defending America's Cup Champion, Team NZ, worked with Wyland to bring the American artist's work to New Zealand. Additionally, Roger Smith, the manager-museum & marketing for the Maritime Museum said, "The New Zealand National Maritime Museum is delighted to be chosen as the site for the Wyland Whaling Wall in Auckland. We see it as becoming a feature exhibit in its own right, and one that complements the Museum's existing displays on the early history of New Zealand seafaring and exploration."

At the Maritime Museum, Wyland will indulge all spectators to a brilliant show of color and fun while depicting the beautiful marine life indigenous to Auckland's shores. He'll be creating his masterpiece on the back wall of the Maritime Museum that runs 20 feet high by 420 feet in length and he'll do all this in one short week.

Wyland will begin painting at noon on October 8, completing the mural throughout the week with a special dedication ceremony on Oct. 15, again at noon, and ribbon cutting by Sir Peter Blake and Captain John Kollus, skipper of Abracadabra and other celebrities and special guests.

The mural is a gift to the Maritime Museum and the city of Auckland from the artist and the Wyland Foundation. Wyland said, "I hope that this ocean mural will bridge the world of science and art and inspire young people throughout New Zealand to become more aware of the plight of sea life and get involved in protecting it. I was inspired by Jacques-Yves Cousteau from the early 70s, and when he passed away, I was happy to hear that Sir Peter Blake would be taking the helm of Calypso II and steering the Captain's legacy forward to keep his great vision alive."

The public and the media are welcome to come down and watch the artist paint the mural as it develops throughout the week as well as check out the latest fine art prints and sculptures by the artists.