Marine artist Wyland has issued a cease and desist letter after crews painted over his iconic downtown Dallas whale mural as part of a FIFA World Cup 2026 promotional project.
The legal notice, issued by Dallas-based law firm Kessler Collins, P.C., demands an immediate halt to what the firm describes as the destruction of “Ocean Life,” also known as Whaling Wall 82, at 505 N. Akard St.
The approximately 17,000-square-foot mural was painted in 1999 and covered the side of an eight-story building in downtown Dallas for nearly three decades. The artwork was part of Wyland’s “Whaling Wall” series, a global public art project focused on raising awareness of marine conservation.
In the cease-and-desist letter, attorneys for Wyland accuse 3PZ Property Company, LLC, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Dallas, and FIFA (Americas), Inc. of violating the federal Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990, known as VARA.
The law protects certain rights of artists tied to works of “recognized stature,” including protections against intentional destruction.
The letter alleges the mural was painted over without Wyland’s “knowledge, consent, or even a basic notification.”
“Make no mistake,” the letter states. “The city carried out this destruction of public art without Wyland’s knowledge, consent, or even a basic notification.”
The filing argues the mural held cultural significance in Dallas and points to Wyland receiving a key to the city after the mural’s completion in 1999. It also references Dallas winning the Wyland Foundation National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation in 2014.
Attorneys for Wyland argue the mural could not be removed from the building without destruction and say federal law required a written waiver from the artist before any work was done.
“Whether by negligence, flagrant disregard, or both, the result is the same — an irreversible destruction of a federally protected work of art in the name of a temporary promotional campaign,” the letter states.
The North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee previously told NBC 5 the new mural installation is intended to “celebrate and build excitement for the upcoming World Cup 2026.” Organizers also said part of the original mural would remain preserved “as a tribute to its lasting impact on the city.”
Wyland’s attorneys said they intend to pursue accountability for those involved in the repainting project.
“The law does not yield to World Cup schedules, commercial timelines, nor the indifference of property owners,” the letter states.
The legal filing also says Wyland plans to direct any monetary recovery from potential litigation toward the Dallas art community, conservation initiatives and school art programs.