Nurturing Nature
The three-day-long Artists for Conservation Festival returns to Vancouver for its ninth year.
The 2019 Artists for Conservation Festival— showcasing more than 94 paintings and sculptures for sale by esteemed AFC nature and wildlife artists—will be held at the Vandusen Botanical Garden. One of the world’s leading nonprofit artist groups supporting the protection of our planet and its wildlife, Artists for Conservation was founded in 1997 by Canadian artist, author, biologist and software engineer Jeff Whiting. Members of this group can be found across the world in nearly 30 countries, making up 500 talented nature and wildlife artists in total.
Running September 27 to 29, the exhibition and sale celebrates its ninth year with a wide range of artists in the lineup, including Cher Anderson, Tammy Taylor, Joyce Trygg, Lynn Waltke, Candy Mcmaniman, Colin Starkevich, Suzanne Barrett Justis and Rick Wheeler, among many others. In addition, artists like Mary Erickson have participated in previous shows. Each work of art supports a conservation organization of the individual artist’s choice, and at least 40 percent of proceeds from all artwork sales benefits conservation and environmental education.
Two acrylics by Anderson were juried into the 2019 festival, Stellar Appearance, depicting a steller sea lion at the harbor in Seward, Alaska, and Touch, showing two mountain lion cubs playfully pawing at each other. Anderson explains that seeing a steller sea lion, also known as a northern sea lion, is a rare occurrence. “[It] was amazing in itself. I photographed him, and it appeared he spoke
to me. He stayed and posed for me for a while. The steller sea lion is protected under both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act... It seemed to be an appropriate subject for the Artists for Conservation entry.” She explains how Touch came to be: “I photographed these two cute mountain lion cubs playing in the autumn colors and leaves in Montana. The amazing
agility of these beautiful creatures and their playfulness is evident from the very young age of three months as they discover their surroundings. I found the contrast of colors and the background made it irresistible as a subject...i love the concept of them barely touching as if they were asking each other if it was safe to take that small leap.”
Programs held throughout the event include live artist demonstrations and presentations, music and cultural performances, as well as screenings of environmental documentaries. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, September 26, at the Vandusen Botanical Garden from 7 to 10 p.m.