This sculpture of a humpback whale breaching from the center of the roundabout reflects and celebrates the unique and welcoming identity of the 9^th and 9^th area.

Artist Stephen Kesler, who was introduced to the neighborhood as a teenager and spent nearly two decades in this community working on art, music, and starting a family, describes 9^th and 9^th as:

unexpected and out of the blue. A community where people from all backgrounds, beliefs and ideas migrate and feel a sense of belonging. A community that bursts through expectations; that commands respect for nature, and varied ideas and identities…

Out of the Blue has become a symbol of community, resilience, and harmony. Its rotating mural program reflects the dynamism of the 9th and 9th community, with a new mural planned every 3–5 years. Each artist brings a new interpretation to the sculpture, allowing the whale to evolve alongside the neighborhood.

To learn more about the current mural on Out of the Blue by Jiyoun Lee-Lodge, visit Open Your Eyes.

To learn more about the inaugural mural on Out of the Blue by Mike Murdock, visit Point of Reference.