The Red Wolf Mural Project
Columbia, North Carolina
The most endangered canid in the world.
This mural project was unique for more than the obvious reason of the primary focus being on wolves instead of pollinators. In the same way a small insect inspired what has become The Good of the Hive, Blue Ghost Fireflies indirectly ‘sparked’ the idea for this mural. Blue Ghost Fireflies are very rare and only found in western North Carolina, so when I was invited to a viewing party back in spring of 2022, I lit up with excitement. But sadly, when we all arrived at the party, so did a bunch of rain. So we did not see any fireflies, but I met Loti Woods and Dale Weiler of “Champions for Wildlife.” One of their main focuses was championing the most endangered canid on earth, the Red Wolf. At the time there were only about 14 left in the wild.
We hit it off famously and after hanging out at the party, it was clear that something should happen together in the future. When they brought me the idea of painting a mural on the Red Wolf Center, I was immediately in.
After a year of meetings and fundraising and MANY hurdles, we, along with about 20 volunteers, transformed the Center from something that looked like a run down storage facility into a beacon of hope and optimism about the future of this incredible species. The bees made sense for two reasons. On the right side of the building we tell the story of the trophic cascade. The food chain based connection of ecosystems in nature. The wolf is the apex predator and the bees are at the other end of the spectrum as some of the smallest members of the cascade.
More about this project in the film coming in 2024.
To learn more about Red Wolves go to: WeilerwoodsforWildlife.com
The Process
This mural was painted over the course of two weeks by many volunteers. I put out a call for artists to have assistance. Four incredible young women answered the call and changed the way I view my own work for the better. Much more on this story in the film, as well.
The Community
This mural, more than any other, taught me about the power of people coming together. It always takes a community to bring a mural to a location, but the organizations, people, partners and participants in this one were off the charts.
Thank you Loti and Dale (Champions for Wildlife), The US Fish and Wildlife Service, - Red Wolf Recovery Program, Pocosil Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, NC Wildlife Federation, Pocosin Arts, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Joe, Kat, Cidney, Hollie, Eden, Bella (my amazing painters), Spencer, Dusty, Nancy and anyone I have forgotten. This one set a new bar.
