Wyland paints mural in front of Miami Beach Urban Studios


For two days last week, internationally acclaimed artist and conservationist Wyland brought his larger-than-life painting style to Miami Beach, creating a 90-foot mural depicting indigenous South Florida marine life. Students from six Miami Beach schools helped bring the artwork, which is actually comprised of two canvases, to life.

The event took place May 4-5 outside the College of Architecture + The Arts’ Miami Beach Urban Studios on Lincoln Road, giving FIU Art + Art History students and faculty the opportunity to work alongside the man dubbed “a marine Michelangelo” by USA Today.

“We were honored to be a part of this wonderful collaboration between the Wyland Foundation, the Arts and Culture Council and Miami-Dade County Public Schools,” said Brian Schriner, dean of FIU College of Architecture and the Arts. “Hosting the live mural painting in front our Miami Beach Urban Studios is precisely the vision behind establishing this space as a creative environment that ultimately contributes to the good of our community.”

Fourth grade students from six Miami Beach public schools and the Hebrew Academy meticulously painted octopus, dolphins and turtles under Wyland’s mentorship. They discussed their recent conservation project that entailed collecting and conserving rain water in water barrels decorated with a Wyland design. That water is being used to irrigate the schools’ gardens.

The mural is for sale, and proceeds will benefit charities that support the environment, public education and the arts.