Governor Togiola Of Samoa Invites Ocean Artist Wyland To Paint Mural

PRESS RELEASE

As the result of an invitation that was extended by Governor Togiola Tulafono during the most recent US Coral Reef Task Force meeting in Washington, DC, world-renowned ocean and wildlife artist and muralist Wyland will be visiting the Territory to work on an environment-themed mural at the Executive Office Building in Utulei on the north facing wall of EOB starting on Monday April 7th. The artist Wyland will arrive this Sunday to work on the mural that will commemorate the Festival of Pacific Arts and International Year of the Reef.

“It was an honor to meet the famous artist in Washington DC,” says Governor Togiola. “Knowing what a gifted and talented artist he is; knowing that he has a foundation that works with children and the community on conservation issues; and the fact that our Festival of Pacific Arts is coming up, I thought that this was an excellent opportunity to have a bona fide celebrity artist come to the Territory and commemorate the International Year of the Reef with a mural.”

In order to carry out the mural project and be as inclusive as possible, Governor Togiola is asking each school in the Territory to appoint two students and an art teacher to assist Wyland with the mural. School administrators are asked to have different students participate each day with Wyland to give opportunities to all of our local students to have interaction and gain from this experience.

Students and teachers are being asked to be at the EOB on Tuesday, April 8th to Thursday, April 11th from 8am to 2pm. Only lunch will be provided. Students, teachers and parents are asked to make all other arrangements for transportation and breakfast.

“I am very excited about this large-scale project that we are about to undertake. I extend my most heartfelt gratitude to Wyland and his foundation for making this project possible. Through efforts such as this, we hope to foster in our children and community a strong sense of appreciation for our environment and a strong commitment to its conservation,” said Governor Togiola.

Governor Togiola has written to DOE Director Claire Tuia Poumele, Acting ASCC President Seth Galea’i and Principals of Private Schools to announce the work that will be performed by Wyland.

In his letter, Governor Togiola wrote:

“Mr. Wyland invites local art teachers and students from both public and private schools to assist with this project. Wyland will also be conducting trainings in conjunction with this project.  This is a rare opportunity to have renowned talent who is willing to contribute and share his skills with our local teachers and students. I would appreciate your support by appointing a total of 8 students from each school, where 2 students per school for each day with an art teacher is to participate in this project. This will allow a rotation of different students each day to get Wyland’s first hand training and participate in his program.”

Names of students and art teachers should be submitted to Mr. Lelei Peau of the Department of Commerce lelei.peau@noaa.org or 633-5155 and Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Motu Seui of the Office of the Governor motu.seui@americansamoa.gov   or 633-4116 by this Friday, April 4th at 4pm.

Each school will need to arrange with parents for their child’s transportation to and from EOB from April 8th - 11th – Work will be performed from 8am to 2pm.

“This is a rare opportunity and I am deeply honored and very thankful that an internationally acclaimed artist who has dedicated his life to promote and capture the environment through magnificent murals has accepted our invitation to share his gift with American Samoa,” said Governor Togiola. “The Territory is proud to have and display the work of art by Wyland. After seeing his wonderful work of art, and the respect he has to promote awareness to protect marine life, I concluded that American Samoa deserves a mural by Wyland.”