Young Artists Celebrated By Wyland, Dana Wharf Whale Watching

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — An 8-year-old artist was declared the grand prize winner of the 2018 Wyland's Whale and Dolphin Adventure Art Lessons in the Wild contest, sponsored by Dana Wharf Whale Watching.

The parents of 8 year old Zoe Lee, who attends Morton Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, learned about the art lesson last year and remembered it. They have never gone whale watching and wanted to go to Dana Wharf and do both. The family celebrated their son’s birthday and came out on the boat for the art lesson.

Zoe’s rendition of Wyland’s lesson won her “California Coast,” a signed, numbered limited edition giclee on canvas valued at more than $2,000.

"In this artwork, a pod of gray whales makes its long journey from the Bering Sea in the Arctic to the warm lagoons of Mexico," Dana Wharf Whale Watching spokesperson Gaye Jacobs told Patch.

With the rising sun at their backs, the creatures move ever closer toward their destination. “This beautiful painting featuring a California gray whale and calf above and below with the sunset represents the waters off of our pacific coast,” says Wyland. “The young artist really used her creativity and skill to create a beautiful illustration of our ocean life.”

Zoe’s piece was carefully chosen from over 200 entries by Wyland, himself.

Winners from each age category received a $25 gift certificate to the Wyland studio in Laguna Beach and two free whale watching tickets from Dana Wharf Whale Watching. The winners from each of three age categories were notified by phone. Dana Wharf and Wyland congratulate all of the participants and the following winners: Aiden Kim (age 9.), Lucy Brown (age 12) and Elizabeth Roesner (age 13).

“We are so proud to offer this program to kids. By combining Wyland’s lesson with a whale watching adventure, kids are able to connect the dots between art and nature, seeing the mammals they just drew out in their natural environment,” said Donna Kalez, general manager of Dana Wharf. “We are proud to be exclusively endorsed by Wyland and thrilled to continue our partnership and watch this program grow every year."

The Art Lesson

World renowned environmental artist, Wyland, has partnered with Dana Wharf Whale Watching since 2013 on Wyland's Whale and Dolphin Adventure and Art Lesson in the Wild, a family-based marine life educational outreach initiative. Specially designed for children ages 3-12, the seasonal program runs 9am-noon on Saturdays from January – April and includes an exclusive Wyland art lesson and a 2-hour whale watching adventure that immediately follows the art lesson. A $5 donation goes to the Wyland Foundation and includes art lesson, all materials and the 2-hour whale watching adventure.

Participants receive an art lesson presented by Wyland via video feed then continue their adventure with a 2-hour whale watching trip guided by Dana Wharf Whale Watching marine mammal experts – all on Dana Wharf’s flagship 95 ft. vessel, the Dana Pride. All participating children receive a free gift from Wyland’s art studio valued at $25 and accompanying adults enjoy free coffee with their $5 donation.

For those over 12, the 2-hour whale watching adventure is $45 and $35 for military & seniors over 55 years old. The kids’ price is normally $25 for children aged 3-12 making this package a particularly exceptional value at only $5, with all proceeds going to the Wyland Foundation benefiting the preservation of the oceans.

Whales migrate through Dana Point year round, but gray whales only appear seasonally as they travel south to the warm waters of Mexico to give birth, then back up the coast to Alaska. Wyland’s Whale and Dolphin Adventure Art Lessons in the Wild celebrates the migration runs through April to coincide with the end of the gray whale season. Whale watching passengers learn how marine wildlife inspires Wyland to create some of the most famous paintings and sculptures of our time. The artist engages passengers with an exclusive art lesson, focusing on drawing whales and dolphin.

Photos: Wyland, Dana Wharf Whale Watching courtesy