A mural concept highlighting the dangers of ghost gear—lost or abandoned fishing equipment—through imagery of the Rice’s whale and recovered fishing gear. A companion digital experience would connect residents and visitors with opportunities to join local beach and ocean cleanups.

Material With A Message

The concept grew from hauling a chain heavier than I am out of Pensacola Bay. Recovered from a turbidity barrier, it was not fishing gear, but its weight and physical presence sparked the idea: recovered material could do more than illustrate an issue. It could become part of how people encounter and understand it.

The proposed mural would pair imagery of the Rice’s whale with recovered fishing gear incorporated into the work. The material would extend the story beyond the painted surface, giving viewers a tangible connection to what has been left beneath the water that makes the consequences feel physical and immediate.