In December, 2003, a mural depicting flying Brown Pelicans painted by artist and master print- maker, Jill Fitterer, was unveiled at Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles Wildlife Center. She initially approached the center located in San Pedro, CA to do an independent research project. However, after spending time with the staff and waterbird patients, she became inspired to do a mural.
The black-and-white mural, which is 7-feet tall and 28-feet wide, was designed by Fitterer, a graduate student in the Cal State Long Beach master of fine arts program
“What we’ve ended up with is a depiction on the front of our building of pelicans flying from the center toward the ocean. For us, it has a bit more meaning, because our goal is to get the injured birds or the rehabilitated birds out to the wild.” –Lana Emo, Rehabilitation Manager at Bird Rescue
In all, Jill spent 200 hours at the center completing the mural and learning about seabirds. Fitterer, who grew up in Pittsburgh, is a print maker who primarily works in relief printing and etching. She had never done a mural.
“It actually took a lot more time than I imagined,” she said, adding that the project took about five months longer than anticipated. In the process, Fitterer said she learned a lot about the center’s work.
“I just learned that so many birds are basically injured by the everyday actions of people who don’t know any better,” she told the Long Beach Press-Telegram. “People think that oiled birds are from large spills … Usually it’s more from street runoff and from restaurant grease traps.”
The mural reminded staff and volunteers of the important work that goes on 365 days of the year.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Lana Emo, Rehabilitation Manager at Bird Rescue’s wildlife center. “What we’ve ended up with is a depiction on the front of our building of pelicans flying from the center toward the ocean. For us, it has a bit more meaning, because our goal is to get the injured birds or the rehabilitated birds out to the wild.”