Seattle, Washington Wyland Whaling Wall 57

History of the Seattle, Washington Wyland Whaling Wall 57

-Leap of Faith

Whaling wall 57

During its tenure on the side of the Quality Inn in Seattle, Washington, Wyland’s “Leap of Faith” mural captured the majesty of an orca breaching the water’s surface. This mural, dedicated by Governor Mike Lowery in 1994, reminded Seattle of the fragile nature of the Puget Sound ecosystem, an area the endangered Southern Resident orca population calls home. Around the time of the mural’s dedication, Seattle was in the midst of a development boom. This rapid growth strained the health of local waterways and the coastal areas that were home to resident orca populations. The power of this mural is in its reflection of the marine life throughout Washington, with careful attention drawn to emerging issues like pollution, habitat degradation, and shipping traffic challenges faced by this great city.

“Leap of Faith” served as much more than a mural of an orca. It became a call to action to the residents of Seattle. Since then, the Wyland Foundation has expanded its efforts through art, science, and action to call attention to the unique link between our waterways and ocean health. Foundation programs like the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center and the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation were created with specific regard to the impact that human activities have on marine ecosystems. Thanks to projects like Wyland’s “Leap of Faith” Mural and the work of thousands of caring stewards in the Pacific Northwest the message is clear: we CAN protect our waterways and the Puget Sound.

Did You Know?

Orcas live in family groups called pods. They are highly social animals, and the death of any one individual can have a significant impact on the health of the group. The critically endangered Southern Resident orca population had declined to fewer than 75 individuals as of 2021.

Although the mural was eventually removed, Wyland’s beautiful mural, “Leap of Faith,” served for years as a bold call to action that encouraged residents and visitors to pay attention to marine conservation. It’s memory can continue to remind us that even the smallest of decisions, like reducing pollution or conserving water, can impact the health of our local and global ecosystems.

Quality Inn
2224 Eighth Ave.
Seattle, Washington
30 Feet Long x 50 Feet High
Dedicated August 22nd, 1994
By Governor Mike Lowery

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