DANA POINT, CALIF.—The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has joined with marine life artist Wyland for “Whales, Wonders, and Wyland.” The collaboration includes an overnight experience, a display of more than 25 Wyland original paintings, limited editions, and sculptures throughout the resort, as well as an exclusive reception for guests to meet Wyland and enjoy a special multi-media retrospective of Wyland’s Whaling Wall public mural project. Wyland is also the Grand Marshal for the 2015 Festival of Whales, taking place in Dana Point the first two weekends in March.
The Wonders of Wyland Reception will be held Friday, March 6, 2015. The evening will include film highlights from Wyland’s 30-year campaign to create 100 life size marine life murals in more than 12 countries around the world. Spanning the sides of skyscrapers, sports arenas, and structures, these landmark public murals have captured the imagination of millions and helped inspire a new generation to become better stewards of the environment. The evening presentation will share the story of Wyland’s epic campaign, from its humble beginnings to the final, all-encompassing project for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Through original video footage and photographs, guests will get an up-close look at the murals and one man’s dream to change the landscape of art—and to create a gentle reminder to communities around the world that everyone, everywhere can make a difference. The Wonders of Wyland Reception will also feature Wyland painting 12 original sumi brush paintings to be auctioned off that evening. Sumi brush paintings are done in traditional Chinese brush-style with black ink on paper.
Package Includes Whale Watching Excursion
The “Whales, Wonders, and Wyland” overnight experience is offered nightly through April 30, 2015 and includes overnight accommodations, two tickets for a whale watching excursion with Dana Wharf, a special Wyland gift while on the whale watching cruise, an in-room Wyland amenity, a personal note from Wyland and resort fee.
Guests who attend the Wonders of Wyland reception and book the “Whales, Wonders, and Wyland” overnight package that evening will also receive a Wyland coffee table book.
The resort is kicking off 2015 with 52 Epic Bucket List experiences for guests to enjoy while visiting the oceanfront resort and Southern California and both of these Wyland experiences are on the list. One epic experience will be added to the #BucketList each week via the resort’s social media channels including Facebook and Twitter. Guests are invited to follow the Bucket List through #RCMemories #BucketList and are invited to share their Bucket List ideas.
Known as the Whale Capital of the West, scientists believe that Dana Point may serve as a reference landmark for whales along the Pacific Coast and is a famous gathering area for feeding. The area attracts not only marine mammals to Orange County, but marine biologists and whale lovers from around the world. From January through April, California Gray Whales embark on the longest migration of any mammal on the planet. They leave their nutrient rich feeding grounds in the cold Arctic, and follow the coastline to the calm, warm waters of Southern California and Baja where they mate and bear their young. This 12,000 mile migration brings much of the pod past Dana Point. The Gray Whale is a dark slate-gray color, but also has characteristic gray-white patterns caused by the accumulation of marine parasites on their skin. They typically measure 30 to 45 feet as adults and weigh about 22 to 35 tons. Gray Whales do not have a dorsal fin like other whales; instead they have a series of “knuckles” along the after portion of the back. Other whales including Fin, Minke, Humpback and False Killer Whales are occasionally seen in the waters off of Dana Point.
Go to Wyland and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.
