A branch to remember: The whale mural on Capital Tristate's Baltimore location.
Ewweb 832 Capital Tristate Freehand Whale595
Ewweb 832 Capital Tristate Freehand Whale595
Ewweb 832 Capital Tristate Freehand Whale595
Ewweb 832 Capital Tristate Freehand Whale595
Ewweb 832 Capital Tristate Freehand Whale595

A whale of a branch: Wyland Mural restored at CapitalTristate’s Baltimore location

July 9, 2014
Conservation muralist Wyland’s 46th mural in his series of 100 “Whaling Walls” throughout the world. Entitled “Extinct Atlantic Gray Whales,” the 5,200-square-foot painting was created in 1993. The mural artists meticulously cleaned the mural before beginning work, and referred to photos taken of the original piece while they did their painting. One entire panel of the mural had to be redone freehand because the damage to the original was so severe.    

Every once in a while you run across a unique branch location, but how many electrical distributors can say they have a location with a world-class mural of a whale? The Baltimore branch of CapitalTristate/Sonepar occupies Baltimore’s Russell Street Building, which displays conservation muralist Wyland’s 46th mural in his series of 100 “Whaling Walls” throughout the world. Entitled “Extinct Atlantic Gray Whales,” the 5,200-square-foot painting was created in 1993.

Unfortunately, the 21 years that have passed since its painting led to significant deterioration of the landmark. So, in May of this year, the property management company that owns the building, St John Properties Inc., reached out to a local mural restoration company after obtaining Wyland’s permission to restore the work. Preparations began at the end of May and the restoration continued through the end of June. The mural artists meticulously cleaned the mural before beginning work, and referred to photos taken of the original piece while they did their painting.

One entire panel of the mural had to be redone freehand because the damage to the original was so severe. Scorching heat and torrential rain made the work painstaking and difficult, with lots of starts and stops, but the month-long restoration has reinstated this iconic landmark as something to look for when coming into and out of Baltimore.

If you are ever in Baltimore, check out the restored mural. The branch is close to the NFL Baltimore Ravens' stadium and the home of the MLB Baltimore Orioles.

Article on the mural in the Baltimore Sun.