AFC Member Update
January 30, 2019
In this first member newsletter of 2019, we’ve got several important announcements to make. We’re off to an exciting start following a truly banner year for our unique group of artists. 
2019 AFC Festival Dates

Save the date! The 9th annual AFC Festival and premiere of AFC’s 12th annual exhibit will be from September 26-29. In 2019, we’re returning to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, BC. Opening activities to include an artist award dinner, VIP reception on Thursday, September 26, followed by a rich multi-day program for artists and public alike. More details to be announced soon. Hope you can make it!
2019 Annual Exhibit Deadline & New Award

The 2019 Artist Prospectus will be posted shortly. This year, we return to a general conservation theme, unlike last year when birds were the theme. In 2019, AFC will be creating a new award for “ Best Interpretive/Abstract Artwork”, for either a painting or sculpture. Moving forward, our hope is to encourage a broader overall style representation within the nature art genre, which has until now been heavily weighted on highly realistic animal portraits. Intake for art submissions will open on February 15 and close on May 5.

This year's deadline for submissions is May 5. 
Silent Skies Mural

We are excited to announce that a massive outdoor vinyl installation of the Silent Skies Mural is being installed now in Kingsport, Tennessee. Thanks to AFC Signature Member Suzanne Barret Justis for making this happen. We are in discussions with multiple venues/institutions and expect to announce more tour locations for the mural soon. See the mural online here.

We have prepared an exhibit prospectus that outlines the display requirements and four different options for indoor and outdoor installations of the mural. We welcome referrals or introductions to potential venues by members, or if you are interested in approaching a potential partner directly, please contact Jeff Whiting by email or by phone at 1.778.340.0749.

A handful of species still need to be done to complete the mural of 678 endangered species. If you are not already registered, register here and use the secret code "iocongress2018". If you have already registered and wish to select a species, login here.
China Tour

AFC’s 2019 Exhibit is on its way back from Arizona, in time to head to the Lanwan Museum and Eco-Art Park in Qingdao, China. This year’s exhibit will open on April 29 and remain on display until at least June 30 of this year. 
AFC Welcomes New Board Member

We’re pleased to welcome Antonio Fins to the AFC International Foundation Board this year. Tony has been a staunch supporter of AFC for several years and brings a unique and powerful combination of skills and experience in journalism, and leadership in both the arts and conservation communities. Political Editor at the Palm Beach Post in Florida, Tony served for three years as executive director of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation where he led conservation and education efforts. His signature achievements included the creation of a network of schools engaged in marine conservation and the Conservation Village concept for public events, including the Tortuga Music festival. Great to have you on board Tony!
AFC Website Updates

We’re entering the final stages of what has been a multi-year project, to roll out new and improved online infrastructure for the organization and its members, and to consolidate AFC’s 4 websites into a much more powerful, and easier to navigate single site. We anticipate completing this transition in 2019. Thank you to those of you who have migrated to your new personal website. We’ll be pleased to help anyone requiring assistance in the transition. Just email us at info@artistsforconservation.org. 
Did you Know?

You have an attractive, personalized, AFC Membership certificate, that you can download and print from your new AFC website. Login and look to the right of your "dashboard". If you have trouble logging on and have a problem with the "forgot my password" system, please let us know and we'll get you up and running asap.


Stay tuned for more developments! I look forward to seeing many of you this fall!

Yours in art and conservation,

Jeff
Artists for Conservation is the world's leading group of artists supporting the environment. Founded in 1997, the non-profit organization comprises a membership of 500 of the world's most gifted nature artists from 27 countries, across five continents. Our mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental education through art that celebrates nature.