GULF SHORES — Wyland, a world-renown marine artist, has done over 100 murals around the world in an effort to spread awareness about ocean conservation. On June 20, his art arrived on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Saturday, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Wyland unveiled a 135-foot-wide, 45-foot-high mural at Surf Style's 102 E. Beach Blvd. location, followed by a meet and greet from noon to 2 p.m. The art installation, composed with a cascading manta ray and other marine life, is an edition of his "Blue Ballet" art piece he originally created in 2013.

People started lining up inside the store as early as 11:30 a.m. and waited up to an hour to meet the artist. Some people, such as Cynthia Betts and her son and daughter, Christian and Montana, traveled from Pensacola, Florida, to attend the event.

Betts said her admiration for Wyland began when her parents introduced her to his art about 30 years ago. Originally born and raised in San Diego, California, Betts said she introduced her children to Wyland's art when they were very young. Montana was 5 when she first visited Wyland's art gallery in Seaport Village.

"When my mom took us, I spent like two, three hours just walking around and loving every single second of it," Montana said.

During the meet and greet, Wyland signed artwork, merchandise and pieces people had purchased all over the world.

Peggy Bourn and her husband, David Petty, brought a glass-enclosed dolphin piece they purchased on a cruise in 2020. Bourn said they brought it to take a picture with Wyland — a tradition they try to achieve for all the art they have collected.

As Gulf Shores residents, they expressed appreciation for Wyland's conservation efforts through his new public art in the community.

"We need more conservationists, and he's [Wyland] a big one," Bourn said. "It makes me feel good that somebody else is actually bringing other people to notice the cleaning of the [ocean] water."