Blogs

Vancouver, British Columbia –  (January 16, 2019) Artists for Conservation (AFC) is pleased to announce the first outdoor installation of the "Silent Skies Mural Project" in the city of Kingsport, Tennessee - a 24-foot by 50 foot-long representation of the massive collaborative project unveiled last August at the 27th  International Ornithological Congress and 8th Artists for Conservation Festival. Like the original, this waterproof vinyl version showcases the 678 species birds from around the world that are threatened with extinction.

On the 29th. of November, AFC Signature Member, Sunita Dhairyam was feted for her work in conserving tigers in India.

Dhairyam is both an accomplished artist and the founder of the Mariamma Charitable Trust, based in the  Western Ghats in southwest India, on the edge of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The organization's works to save tigers and other wildife through habitat protection and supporting local communities. 

This November 5th to 12th in Hamanaka, Japan, a team of artists including Signature AFC Members Eriko Kobayashi and Yasuo Watanabe are collaborating with the NGO Fish Owl Aid to support the Blakiston's Fish-Owl. The artists and Fish Owl Aid will be sketching the natural environments of eastern Hokkaido, where they are hostjng a series of workshops and inform visitors and residents about conserving the critically endangered species of owl.

UK's best selling pencil artist, AFC Signature Member Gary Hodge's has just released his latest book featuring artwork from his latest conservation charity event The event is hosted at at the renowned Nature in Art museum in Gloucestershire, from 10-22 July 2018, and is 100% in aid of six conservation and wildlife art charities. Central to the event is an online and live auction featuring 50 specially embellished prints. Each are drawn over with 1,000s of pencil strokes making them all unique and collectable.

Two hours drive from Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad is a mountain resort town of Nathia Gali. This summer, the town will host its first wildlife art exhibit featuring the artwork of AFC's Dr. Ahsan Qureshi. The show venue is Hotel Elites Nathiagali, and will run August 4th and 5th.

Sadly, Pollyanna Pickering passed away on March 29, 2018, following a short illness. With her passing, we have lost a great artist, passionate and generous wildlife conservationist. She was a big part of the AFC community over the years and will be deeply missed by her friends and colleagues at Artists for Conservation.

AFC artist Bruce Lawes, recently completed a major arwork depicting a chimpanzee, created specifically to support the Jane Goodall Institute. In this article, Bruce describes the creative process and how his lifelong conservation hero, Dr. Goodall herself contributed to the artwork's completion.

On October 12 through 15, Several AFC artists are lending support to a major conservation fundraiser. Participating AFC artists include: Stephane Alsac, Guy Combes, Carrie Cook, Gary Hodges, Kate Jenvey, Karen Lawrence-Rowe, Ann London, Clive Meredith, Jeremy Paul, Pollyanna Pickering, Craig Roberts, Geraldine Simmons, Su Shimeld, Jonathan Truss and Paula Weigmink. Following is the press release describing the event.

Wildlife Glass Artist, Kathleen Sheard, has undertaken the Cycle of Life: Sea Turtle Glass Sculpture – Environmental Art Education Project to raise awareness of and educate people to the dangers to sea turtles. The project includes an installation of over 60 kiln-formed glass pieces depicting life-size sea turtles and hatchlings along with elements that endanger them. The Cycle of Life is a collaboration between Kathleen Sheard and other glass and wood artists from across the US.

With deep sadness we share with you the passing of fellow artist and conservationist, David Shepherd. An international champion of the conservation movement, and a legendary wildlife artist, David leaves a legacy of support for African wildlife. He also inspired hundreds of professional artists around the world to also take up the cause, through the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and the annual DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year Award. A Signature Member of AFC since 2004, David was also the first recipient of AFC's highest honour - the Simon Combes Conservation Award in 2006.