Painted in 1984 by Robert Wyland, Grey Whale Family was his first international mural and one of more than 100 in his global series. Widely embraced by the community, the “Whaling Wall” became a cherished landmark and an enduring symbol of White Rock’s cultural identity.
Over time, the mural has changed due to environmental conditions. In 2014, after signage was placed over top of the mural, it was restored by local artist Elizabeth Hollick.
The building’s new owner is committed to preserving the mural and has engaged local artist Allan Turton to restore the wall. Following an extensive study, the artist’s proposal received endorsement from the Wyland Foundation.
While this project is on a privately owned wall, the artist and building owner invite community engagement before work begins honoring the mural’s role as a defining landmark in White Rock.
Share your feedback
The public are invited to share their feedback on the proposed mural restoration.
Add your comments below by July 6, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Artist’s proposal
Local artist Allan Turton has received endorsement from the Wyland Foundation on the below proposed mural preservation.
View the artwork in person at the White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Avenue, White Rock.
The Grey Whale Family, 1986
“The Whaling Wall”
Painted in 1984 by Robert Wyland, Grey Whale Family was his first international mural and one of more than 100 in his global series. Widely embraced by the community, the “Whaling Wall” became a cherished landmark and an enduring symbol of White Rock’s cultural identity.
Over time, the mural has changed due to environmental conditions. In 2014, after signage was placed over top of the mural, it was restored by local artist Elizabeth Hollick.
The building’s new owner is committed to preserving the mural and has engaged local artist Allan Turton to restore the wall. Following an extensive study, the artist’s proposal received endorsement from the Wyland Foundation.
While this project is on a privately owned wall, the artist and building owner invite community engagement before work begins honoring the mural’s role as a defining landmark in White Rock.
Share your feedback
The public are invited to share their feedback on the proposed mural restoration.
Add your comments below by July 6, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Artist’s proposal
Local artist Allan Turton has received endorsement from the Wyland Foundation on the below proposed mural preservation.
View the artwork in person at the White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Avenue, White Rock.
While this project is on a privately owned wall, the artist and building owner invite community engagement before work begins honoring the mural’s role as a defining landmark in White Rock.
Share your comments with the artist by July 6, at 4:30pm
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Thank you for providing your feedback.
The wall’s restoration should reflect it’s original colours and the Grey Whales natural habitat. The definition of restoration /ˌrestəˈrāSHən/ Ecological restoration | Definition, Characteristics ... Restoration is the act of returning something to its original condition, or to a state close to it. It involves repairing, rebuilding, or cleaning an object, property, or natural area so that it functions and looks like it used to.
Savvy
About 1 month ago
As a WR local - LEAVE THE PAINTING ALONE. Any restoration needs to honour the original work by staying as close to it as possible. No to the proposed.
WR LOCAL
About 1 month ago
As a WR local - LEAVE THE PAINTING ALONE. The original is history and should be preserved. Any restoration needs to honour the original work by staying as close to it as possible. No to proposed.
WR LOCAL
About 1 month ago
Wyland’s iconic whale wall is a treasure! Please respect the artist’s original colour choices. A fresh coat of paint will restore the image from its present state. Thanks!!
Donna P
About 1 month ago
I think updating the wall in support of the Wayland Foundation would be a good idea and it probably overdue
Cory
About 1 month ago
I used to live in White Rock and walked by this mural everyday, often more than once a day, and admired it so much. While I am sure the intention of the artist is honourable and I can see the appeal of the proposal, a true restoration would be to restore it to the original as closely as possible. The original more accurately reflects nature of the White Rock area. So yes, to restoration, but true restoration. The proposal looks more tropical to me. It is beautiful, but tropical, and again not a true restoration. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.
Katrina
About 1 month ago
I love the colours of the proposed version. I'm very happy to see this White Rock landmark preserved and enhanced.
billiehobkirk
About 1 month ago
Please keep the original colours and only touch up areas that need it. Any restoration needs to honour the original work by staying as close to it as possible. The colours in this proposed update are way too bright and deviate too much from the original. Please do not alter the mural while refreshing it.
Jane04
About 1 month ago
I think this mural is a very important part of White Rock. It should be treasured and restored, but the original colours should be kept and any restoration should only be to upkeep the condition, not to change the colours. The proposed restoration alters the colours and mood of the original too much. Please keep the original mural at the forefront of any restoration.
Jane04
About 1 month ago
I would love to see it restored. It is an important part of history in White Rock. Original colours to keep the authenticity.
Marnee
About 1 month ago
Oh no, it's worse than I thought. If that's what's going to be done, don't touch it at all. What Elizabeth Hollick did to it ruined it with her cartoonist and exaggerated style showing through,but at least she stuck to the irgininal work. What is planned is outrageous and an insult. Leave it alone or just get rid of it instead. That new plan is horrendous. Too bright, not representative of the ecosystem and not the original work. Just awful. No no no no no. Maybe a different artist can do it justice and restore it instead of redoing it as this artist is planning. May I suggest Richard Tetrault, a spawn of White Rock and one of the best I know of. He would respect the work. https://www.facebook.com/share/1cgcQTXd1F/
Jennifer A Cave
About 1 month ago
It would be great to see it restored to its original glory.
Shannon M
About 1 month ago
I definitely agree that the Whaling Whale should be restored. While I like the proposed restoration, the colours make it look like the Grey Whales are in tropical waters and not the waters of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. It would be great to see the colours stay close to the original as much as possible.
tgambrel
About 1 month ago
Refresh without losing Wyland's message. Proposed I think is a little too bright
JShannon
About 1 month ago
I believe that the whale wall should be restored, using original colours and maintaining the original picture. Just maintenance and not changing a single thing of the original historical piece of art.
Cdpk
About 1 month ago
I no longer live in White Rock, but I grew up in White Rock, and this wall brings memories of my teen years, I am now in my 60's . I was always amazed that it was never vandalised, and I hope to see it for years and years to come.
Acamalot
About 1 month ago
The proposed restoration looks great and will breathe light into our community for many years to come. Allan is a wonderful and talented artist, and with the blessing of Wylan I believe this is what is best.
Burntgas
About 1 month ago
Why wouldn't you restore it. The new version is better. The wall is famous.
Sunsher
About 1 month ago
I'm looking forward to your restoring Wyland's work to its original beauty.
Jan
About 1 month ago
I most definitely approve of restoring this wonderful piece of historical artwork, but please keep the original design.
The wall’s restoration should reflect it’s original colours and the Grey Whales natural habitat.
The definition of
restoration
/ˌrestəˈrāSHən/
Ecological restoration | Definition, Characteristics ...
Restoration is the act of returning something to its original condition, or to a state close to it. It involves repairing, rebuilding, or cleaning an object, property, or natural area so that it functions and looks like it used to.
As a WR local - LEAVE THE PAINTING ALONE. Any restoration needs to honour the original work by staying as close to it as possible.
No to the proposed.
As a WR local - LEAVE THE PAINTING ALONE. The original is history and should be preserved.
Any restoration needs to honour the original work by staying as close to it as possible.
No to proposed.
Wyland’s iconic whale wall is a treasure! Please respect the artist’s original colour choices. A fresh coat of paint will restore the image from its present state.
Thanks!!
I think updating the wall in support of the Wayland Foundation would be a good idea and it probably overdue
I used to live in White Rock and walked by this mural everyday, often more than once a day, and admired it so much. While I am sure the intention of the artist is honourable and I can see the appeal of the proposal, a true restoration would be to restore it to the original as closely as possible. The original more accurately reflects nature of the White Rock area. So yes, to restoration, but true restoration. The proposal looks more tropical to me. It is beautiful, but tropical, and again not a true restoration. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.
I love the colours of the proposed version. I'm very happy to see this White Rock landmark preserved and enhanced.
Please keep the original colours and only touch up areas that need it. Any restoration needs to honour the original work by staying as close to it as possible. The colours in this proposed update are way too bright and deviate too much from the original. Please do not alter the mural while refreshing it.
I think this mural is a very important part of White Rock. It should be treasured and restored, but the original colours should be kept and any restoration should only be to upkeep the condition, not to change the colours. The proposed restoration alters the colours and mood of the original too much. Please keep the original mural at the forefront of any restoration.
I would love to see it restored. It is an important part of history in White Rock. Original colours to keep the authenticity.
Oh no, it's worse than I thought. If that's what's going to be done, don't touch it at all. What Elizabeth Hollick did to it ruined it with her cartoonist and exaggerated style showing through,but at least she stuck to the irgininal work. What is planned is outrageous and an insult. Leave it alone or just get rid of it instead. That new plan is horrendous. Too bright, not representative of the ecosystem and not the original work. Just awful. No no no no no. Maybe a different artist can do it justice and restore it instead of redoing it as this artist is planning. May I suggest Richard Tetrault, a spawn of White Rock and one of the best I know of. He would respect the work. https://www.facebook.com/share/1cgcQTXd1F/
It would be great to see it restored to its original glory.
I definitely agree that the Whaling Whale should be restored. While I like the proposed restoration, the colours make it look like the Grey Whales are in tropical waters and not the waters of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. It would be great to see the colours stay close to the original as much as possible.
Refresh without losing Wyland's message. Proposed I think is a little too bright
I believe that the whale wall should be restored, using original
colours and maintaining the original picture. Just maintenance and not changing a single thing of the original historical piece of art.
I no longer live in White Rock, but I grew up in White Rock, and this wall brings memories of my teen years, I am now in my 60's . I was always amazed that it was never vandalised, and I hope to see it for years and years to come.
The proposed restoration looks great and will breathe light into our community for many years to come. Allan is a wonderful and talented artist, and with the blessing of Wylan I believe this is what is best.
Why wouldn't you restore it.
The new version is better.
The wall is famous.
I'm looking forward to your restoring Wyland's work to its original beauty.
I most definitely approve of restoring this wonderful piece of historical artwork, but please keep the original design.