Quick Details
Adults
Ages 13-54
$ 72.80
Seniors
Ages 55 and over
$ 61.48
Child - Art Lesson
Ages 3 - 12 | Must purchase an Adult or Senior Ticket
$ 16
Infant
Under 2 years old
$ 9
2026 Art Lesson Winner
Maddie Smith Wins the 2026 Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild Grand Prize!
What a special day at Dana Wharf! We were thrilled to celebrate 10-year-old Maddie Smith, the 2026 Grand Prize Winner of the Wyland Foundation’s Art Lessons in the Wild program.
Wyland Foundation President Steve Creech presented Maddie with “Sea Dance,” a limited-edition giclée on canvas valued at $3,995, featuring two humpback whales dancing beneath the sea.
Maddie, a student at Woodbury Elementary School in Irvine, has a love for art and is already familiar with Wyland’s work. She has visited his Laguna Beach gallery several times, and a Wyland mural is even featured in her school library. Her grandfather, George, saw the Art Lessons advertisement in the Dana Point Times and enrolled her in the program.
Maddie was selected by Wyland from approximately 200 young artists who participated this year. Dana Wharf co-owner Donna Kalez and Steve Creech were on hand to present her with the award.
Congratulations to all of this year’s age group winners!
- Grand Prize Maddie Smith, 10
- Ages 3 to 5 Cora Leach
- Ages 6 to 8 Kalani Spunde
- Ages 9 to 12 Ava
Art Lessons in the Wild combines two things we love: art and the ocean. Each year, children join Dana Wharf for a whale watching adventure and a complimentary pre-trip art lesson included with their ticket. The program runs from late January through April, and space is limited.
We can’t wait to see the creativity and ocean-inspired artwork from the next group of young artists when the program returns in January 2027. Congratulations, Maddie!
Our Art Lessons start up on the last Saturday in January and runs every Saturday through the end of April!
Art Lessons in the Wild
Marine muralist Wyland continues the Landmark Whale and Dolphin Adventure “Art Lessons in the Wild,” facilitating the most creative experience on the water!
The mission of The Wyland Foundation is to give both children and adults alike the tools they need to become more creative through art. A portion of the ticket price will be donated back to the Wyland Foundation. Each child participant also receives a FREE gift from Wyland!
Create your own work-of-art aboard one of our Dana Wharf vessels that will be judged by Wyland himself, with multiple winners and a grand prize winner! At the end of each lesson, children will submit their drawings to be judged by Wyland himself!
The grand prize is a special work of art by Wyland himself, framed and signed, with a value up to $3,000.
CLICK THE DATES BELOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW!
This 45-minute adventure includes:
- VIP boarding and a presentation and exclusive art lesson before the Whale Watching Trip, via video feed on the vessel, by renowned environmental artist, Wyland!
- Learn what inspired Wyland to create some of the best known marine wildlife paintings and sculptures of our era.
- After the art lesson, your child may depart free of charge, on a two-hour whale and dolphin watching adventure! Paid Adult must accompany the child.
This activity will be every Saturday starting at 9 a.m. for children 3-12 years old before our 10 a.m. Whale Watching Trip.
If you choose to go on the Whale Watching Adventure that immediately follows the art lesson, the cruise features:
- An up-close and personal experience – get closer to marine life and watch them from our stable platform.
- For more information call us at (949) 496-5794 ext.7
MUST purchase tickets for the whale and dolphin watching adventure separately.
ABOUT THE WYLAND FOUNDATION
Founded by renowned environmental artist Wyland, the Wyland Foundation has helped children and families around the nation to rediscover the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through public art programs, classroom science education, and live events. The foundation gives children the tools they need to become more creative, positive, and solution-oriented. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and has worked directly with more than one million children since its inception in 1993.
ABOUT DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING
Dana Wharf Whale Watching (DWS) is a California Corporation operating out of Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point, CA.
Family owned and operated since 1958, the business model has evolved from founder Don Hansen’s single fishing boat business operated from the San Clemente Pier to a fleet of 14 vessels providing daily whale watching, ocean adventures, sportfishing, charters, harbor and fundraiser cruises, sailing and more. More than 100,000 locals and visitors from around the world experience all that Dana Wharf has to offer each year.
For over five decades, Dana Wharf has successfully provided the public with a variety of ocean adventures as well as serving the needs of those who are looking for a different type of entertainment. With this in mind, Dana Wharf offers its customers a myriad of experiences, including this exclusive art lesson. For more information, visit www.danawharf.com.
Dana Wharf is exclusively endorsed by marine life artist Wyland
Click here to read a recent article about Wyland – The Creative Waves of Wyland