Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation kicks off its Mural Campaign in Crystal River, FL
Crystal River mural courtesy of Citrus County School District Facebook page.
By Avery Palmer
First Project Inspires Community Corridor Pride in Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida - It was a morning full of community, collaboration, and color in the City of Crystal River, on September 14, 2022, as the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation (FWCF) began the first project of their multi-town mural campaign, along with selected artist Kelly Quinn from Canvas of the Wild. Art students from Lecanto High School and all three teen trekkers from the Foundation’s recent film, Home Waters, joined Quinn as contributors to the mural.
“The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation is committed to aligning efforts that lead to conservation and awareness of the Florida Wildlife Corridor to inspire support statewide and beyond,” said Mallory Dimmitt, Chief Executive Officer at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. “Through this mural campaign, we are energizing the local community by cultivating Corridor Pride that champions this important geographic connection and recognizes the importance of connecting people to nature.”
Canvas of the Wild’s goal is to inspire awareness and connection to the world’s oceans and the amazing life within them through art and technology. Near-Field Communication (NFC) touchpoints will be embedded in the mural that link to information about marine ecosystems and animals with the touch of a phone. An explorable version of the mural is also being made available online.
Crystal River was selected as the first mural location because of its critical link to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The 6.8 square mile coastal city, or self-proclaimed “Home of the Manatee,” is a center of global tourism year-round. Crystal River is known for its world-class fishing, pristine waterways, and breathtaking views. The areas unique ecosystem plays a large role within the Corridor itself. How the county grows will determine the fate of wildlife, clean waters, and the natural beauty locals take pride in. Crystal River’s connection to the Florida Wildlife Corridor makes it a perfect spot to begin this series of murals, bringing attention to the importance of Florida’s ecosystem.
There are currently two other mural locations planned for this season, followed by another six locations in 2023. The majority will intersect with the most at-risk ecologically significant Corridor connections in Florida. The impact spans even further by allowing onlookers to view the mural while surrounded by the lands that need the most protection. While the murals are a creative way to inform and inspire viewers of the importance of protecting Florida’s environment, the campaign strives to create deeper connections between communities and their corner of the Corridor to keep Florida wild.
This Crystal River mural was made possible by the support of the following:
• Sponsors Burt Eno and the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce
• In-kind sponsors Lumen and Sunbelt
• Partnership with Crystal River Mainstreet and the City of Crystal River
• Special thanks to the Citrus County Education Foundation
Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation Applauds Governor DeSantis and Cabinet for Approving More Than 19,000 Acres Key to the Florida Wildlife Corridor
Crystal River is a critical link of the Florida Wildlife Corrido, which supports a unique ecosystem, that plays a significant ecological role within the Corridor. How the county grows will determine the fate of wildlife, clean waters, and the natural beauty locals take pride in.
The Crystal River Mural brings awareness to greater connectedness of what locals already treasure and empowers visitors and community members alike to expand their Corridor Pride.
The mural builds upon the 2021 teen expedition from Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon, Florida to Homosassa Bay in Homosassa, Florida, where three local High School students experienced wild Florida in their backyard. The subsequent film, Home Waters, documents how their perspectives shift to understanding the importance of keeping each piece of the Corridor connected and protected. The mural is designed to inform viewers about the Corridor and inspire the continued protection of some of the most at-risk land in Florida.
Meet the Artist
Kelly Quinn is a Florida-based artist and the Art Director for Canvas of the Wild. Born and raised in the sunshine state on the headwaters of the Everglades, Kelly’s passion for nature was sparked in childhood and has inspired her career as a professional artist dedicated to communicating science through the power of art.
“ I was born and raised on the headwaters of the Everglades, where I learned the land and water were a part of my identity, and the charismatic animals I shared my home with were my fellow neighbors, all of which had a story worthy of being shared. Today, I use art to communicate these wild stories and highlight the underlying science behind each inspiration to help form deeper connections between people and nature.”
Canvas of the Wild
Co-founded in 2018 by Kelly Quinn and Blake Wheele, Canvas of the Wild is a creative design, development, and publishing studio focused on supporting STEAM education.
Canvas of the Wild engages individuals with environmental science through the creative process. Its mission is to help individuals see their relationship with a subject differently and inspire them to explore new perspectives through infographics, books, workshops, and interactive environments.
See more at the FWCF website herre: https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/crystal-river-mural/