Princess Cruises Passengers Watch as Wyland Paints Dolphins on Bottom of Neptune Pool
Wyland has always been one of my favorite artists. We currently have two of his paintings in the reception area of our travel agency. Marine life artist Wyland is an accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, writer and SCUBA diver. His non-profit Wyland Foundation has supported numerous conservation programs since 1993, including the monumental Whaling Wall mural project – and epic series of more than 100 life-size marine life murals that spans 14 countries on four continents and is viewed by an estimated 1 billion people every year
In a press release issued today, Princess announced that guests sailing onboard the Ruby Princess witnesses an unexpected live art event, as famed marine life artist Wyland painted an unusual canvas – the bottom of the ship’s Neptune Pool.
Known worldwide for his unique works featuring sea animals, Wyland is aboard the ship for special art events and meet and greets with passengers. However, painting the ship’s pool was not on his original agenda. Ruby Princess Captain Tony Draper suggested the idea to the artist after being inspired by watching ship crew members painting the Princess “seawitch” logo on the bottom of the ship’s other main pool.
A first for the cruise line, Wyland agreed to paint the mother dolphin and her baby as a way to increase awareness of his conservation message. Passengers were invited to follow along with a live top-deck event hosted by the ship’s cruise director, including live video of the painting in progress broadcast on the ship’s Movies Under the Stars screen.
“This is certainly one of the most unusual ways we’ve ever painted a pool,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president. “But it’s a wonderful way to work with Wyland to address our shared concern with the importance of marine conservation, and to give our passengers a unique experience as they witnessed a one-of-a-kind artwork taking shape.”
Passengers were able to enjoy watching the artist at work just prior to the ship’s arrival into the Venice canal system.
Wyland and Princess Cruises have a long-time association. Many Princess ships incorporate his sculptures in the swimming pool areas, and are featured in his latest book “100 Whaling Walls.” Wyland’s artwork is also featured in the ships’ onboard art galleries.
Ruby Princess is currently sailing on 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages between Barcelona and Venice, with calls at Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Naples/Capri, Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi, and Athens.
Want to sail on the Ruby Princess closer to home? The ship will be sailing 10 night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from October 25th through her last Caribbean sailing on April 9, 2010, before sailing back to Europe. Atlas has several departures that include added amenities such as shipboard credits, specialty dining and more. Call 800-942-3301 for more details.
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