Discovery Communications Reveals Shark Week Mural in Silver Spring

Company is also hosting a 'Family Fun Fest' Friday night ahead of annual programming block

By Aaron Kraut

Charlie Archambault

Discovery Communications on Monday unveiled this year’s winning Shark Week mural for its Silver Spring headquarters: An eight-story-tall design titled “Fintastic Shark” that lights up at night and faces the Silver Spring Transit Center.

Display of a mural has become a tradition for the company for its annual Shark Week block of shark-related TV programming. This year’s Shark Week starts Sunday.

It was the second straight year Discovery has asked the public to choose which mural should adorn its building with an online poll. Other options this year included the “Toothy Grin” and “I Heart Shark” designs.

A timelapse video shows how a team of workers created the mural by attaching blue, white and red paper to the office building’s windows.

Video via Discovery Communications/TC Conway

Fintastic Shark was the runaway winner and the contest garnered about 1,000 votes, Discovery said.

The cable television company will also host a free Family Fun Fest Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. near the fountain on nearby Ellsworth Drive. The event will include a face painter, balloon artist, a person dressed in a shark suit known as Chompie Jr., giveaways and live music.