Coney Island in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition
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Thomas Manco
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 13, 2022
1. New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition / Thomas Manco Marker
New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition
Our first mural competition, with the theme "Ocean Plastics," received submissions from artists across the region. This mural is one of three chosen to adorn our Education Hall Boardwalk wall and raise awareness of the threat plastics pose to our planet's waterways. The New York Aquarium, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, is committed to saving wildlife and wild places.
Artist: Thomas Manco
Artist Statement: I intend to create a surrealist aquatic mural scene with hidden elements emphasizing the impact discarded plastics have on our precious marine life. I hope to illustrate the detrimental repercussions of plastic pollution. Including: a coral reef made from unrecycled plastics, like disposable cutlery, cups, straws, milk jugs, detergent and bleach bottles. Whales made from two liter soda bottles, bottlenose dolphins with water bottles for noses, spotted-eagle rays constructed from multi-gallon garbage bags, etc.
Tom Manco is a Fine Art/Art History graduate of SUNY New Paltz, class of 1995. With over 25 years of painting experience, Tom's murals can be found in New York, Georgia, Florida, France and Scotland. Since 2009 Tom has been the resident muralist at The Children's Museum of Manhattan.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2017.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 34.414′ N, 73° 58.643′ W. Marker was in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It was on Coney Island. It was on Riegelmann Boardwalk just east of West 10th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 816 Surf Ave, Brooklyn NY 11224, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in New York City. It was also in the American Northeast. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Pioneers of the Deep (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Dives (about 400 feet away); Highlights and Mishaps (about 400 feet away); The Record-Breaking Dive (about 400 feet away); The History of the New York Aquarium (about 400 feet away); Wonder Wheel (about 400 feet away); Sky Fighter (about 500 feet away); Carousel (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
Other markers no longer nearby. New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition / Artist: Sheena Wong Shue
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 13, 2022
2. New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition / Thomas Manco Marker
Unfortunately, the mural was covered when the photo was taken.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
