As Dallas gears up for the World Cup this summer, one significant change is sparking controversy: the removal of a cherished, large mural of swimming whales located downtown.
“I pass that mural nearly every day on my way to school, and then all of a sudden, they were painting over it,” said Katy Rose Cusick. “It was incredibly shocking to me that it could happen so quickly.”
– Who cares about the Chiefs? Kansas City is fully focused on the World Cup this summer
– Rivalry intensifies over World Cup host rights on the Hudson River
This month, work began to cover up the mural that has adorned two walls of a parking garage for nearly 30 years, making way for artwork associated with the upcoming World Cup matches. Wyland, the mural’s creator, expressed his sorrow over its destruction, stating he felt “deeply disheartened.”
“When a piece that has held significance for generations can be erased without consultation, it raises profound questions about our appreciation for public art, artists, and the communities that these works were meant to serve,” Wyland commented.
Cusick and her classmate Joshua Hurston, both seniors at a local performing and visual arts high school, have initiated a Change.org petition aimed at raising awareness to preserve historical and artistic significance. The petition has garnered hundreds of signatures, particularly from those who recall the mural fondly from childhood.
“If we can’t save the mural itself, we want to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again,” Hurston remarked.
A spokesperson for the World Cup organizing committee indicated they are excited to “reveal a new piece that captures this pivotal moment in history and embodies the energy, unity, and global spirit surrounding the World Cup 2026.” They also mentioned that a “portion” of Wyland’s mural would be retained as a tribute to its lasting influence on the city.
Dallas will host more World Cup matches than any other venue in this tri-nation event co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with nine matches scheduled to take place at AT&T Stadium in suburban Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The stadium will be referred to as Dallas Stadium during the World Cup.
Downtown Dallas Inc. confirmed in a statement that they were involved in preliminary discussions about the mural and clarified that it was not part of the city’s public art collection before they introduced the building’s owners to the organizing committee. A representative from Slate Asset Management, the building’s owners, stated that they were approached earlier this year by Downtown Dallas Inc. and the organizing committee about donating the wall for a new public art installation by a local artist.
The mural, known as “Whaling Wall 82,” was dedicated in 1999. Wyland has created over 100 similar murals worldwide as part of his mission to promote ocean conservation.
“This was not just paint on a wall; it was part of my work, alongside the Wyland Foundation, to unite people in protecting our oceans and ensuring clean water,” he noted.