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About

‘The Last Goldfish’, created by Baltimore-based artist Andy Dahl, is a contemporary reference to the University of Maryland’s roots in research and agriculture.  

The vibrant hues and organic shapes of the work fall squarely within the aesthetic of artist Dahl’s work. Fish, leaves, and bubbles are made of industrial-grade composite wood known as Medium Density Overlay (MDO) and mounted to the brick facade via a pin-lettering technique. The underwater motifs use acrylic paint. After sunset, custom Light-Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures cast ephemeral, cool-colored tones over the brick facade, simulating the rippling water of an aquarium. 

The installation’s unorthodox use of industrial materials adds interest to the highly visible facade without permanently affecting the building it adorns. This innovative application of mixed media is the first of its kind in Prince George’s County.  

Henry Bishop, ‘The Goldfish King’ 

To the unknowing spectator, ‘The Last Goldfish’ is simply a vibrant addition to the busy Route One corridor. However, ‘The Last Goldfish’ serves as a novel connection to College Park’s past. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Maryland Agricultural College, now known as the University of Maryland at College Park, regularly leased its flood-prone lands to public and private business ventures. This included its aquaculture ponds in what we now know as East Lakeland.  

Henry Bishop, aptly called ‘The Goldfish King’, used these lakes to produce goldfish, which were transported to his storefront in Baltimore, Maryland, via the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Over several decades, Bishop’s venture distributed millions of goldfish nationwide. During this period, College Park fueled Americans’ passion for aquaria, a common hobby at the time.