North Lauderdale

North Lauderdale

*Photo courtesy of Merrill Tritt Photography

City of North Lauderdale residents are proud the call their city home to marine artist Wyland’s 99th and final mural in the United States.  The City recently celebrated the completion of this International Year of the Reef Wall created by Wyland as part of his world renowned Whaling Wall art project, comprised of 100 murals. The artist painted the historic wall along McNab Rd., just west of Rock Island Rd., in the City of North Lauderdale, with the help of famed artists Romero Britto and Guy Harvey, plus numerous art enthusiasts and youth throughout the South Florida community.

“This project has done much to enhance the City of North Lauderdale by creating a great spectacle for residents and the millions that will pass this wall each year,” Mayor Jack Brady said.  “We are extremely appreciative to Wyland for selecting the City of North Lauderdale as home to his final mural in the United States, and confident that this historic happening will allow us to continue ‘Building a Future’ for our residents.”

Wyland’s 10’ x 1,000’ mural is adorned with mangroves, inspired by the Everglades, in addition to manatees, coral reefs, dolphins, turtles, mangroves and other sea life. Over the next year, this wall will be transformed into Wyland Walk, a fully remodeled McNab/Cypress Creek corridor spanning the length of the world-renown mural, featuring park benches, lush landscaping and a spiraling walkway marveled with sea-toned colors of recycled glass. The new area will anchor the City’s “Arts in Public Places” program, which strives to implement thought-provoking, original art to help inspire residents. The program, coupled with ongoing redevelopment initiatives, help to foster distinctive, attractive communities with a sense of place.