AFC Member Update
11 April, 2020
Dear Fellow Artists and Conservationists,

A happy Easter weekend to all. I hope this email finds you and yours in good health and good spirits.

Our new normal of social distancing is spawning creative ways that our community is connecting. Personally, most of us are video conferencing more than every before, on Skype, FaceTime and Zoom. Publicly, many are blogging, and very active on social media. We've also been really interested to see that an increasing number of our members are offering online video tutorials and workshops. In response to this, we will be supporting these initiatives by establishing a new section on the AFC website highlighting them as well as on social media and our public eNewsletter.

Online Tutorials & Workshops
If you are planning an online tutorial or workshop, all you need to do is login to your account, go to your workshop section and post your workshop by completing the simple form. We will look after posting your workshop on the AFC website, social media and eNewsletter.

For your convenience, we've added a link on your dashboard page - the page you see first when you login. If your workshop section is not displaying in your website menu, click on "Show/Hide Pages" button at the top-right, and click on the "Workshops" toggle button to display it.

There are different kinds of videos, including tutorial "how-to" videos that provide step-by-step instructions. These typically run 5-15 minutes in length and may showcase multiple instructions methods. Videos can also be very short, instructional clips that focus on teaching a single, narrow technique or topic. These are usually less than a minute or two long and appeal to an audience with a very specific need and/or short attention span. The best videos are ones are carefully planned/choreographed in advance.

Tools
Very little equipment is required and in fact can be done in most cases with your mobile device - smart phone or tablet/iPad. Following are some popular tools for use in live tutorials and workshops. You can find instructions and support for each technology on their respective sites.
  • Facebook Live
  • YouTube Live
  • Instagram Live
  • Zoom (For registered closed sessions)
AFC 2020 Exhibit
We're seeing a strong showing of art submissions to our 2020 exhibit and several members completing and updating their online website presence. Thanks to all who are participating! The 2020 AFC Live Exhibit remains set to run this October in Vancouver, BC and we have reconfirmed the support of our host - VanDusen Botanical Garden. Fortunately, British Columbia took an early and diligent response to COVID-19 and at this point has succeeded in flattening the curve. Latest models suggest that the first wave will be behind us in the summer and we are cautiously optimistic that the situation will allow us to proceed as planned, albeit with precautionary measures in place. This our 10th anniversary year!

With less than one month before the submission deadline, we have already seen some great submissions come in and look forward to seeing many more in the weeks ahead. A reminder that you have the option to submit art for the Virtual Exhibit only, for art that is either unavailable for the live show, or too large, expensive or fragile to ship. We're planning several new features on the Virtual Exhibit this year to accommodate those who will not be able to travel due to COVID-19 concerns.
AFC Silent Skies Mural in St. Louis
The opening of the Silent Skies exhibit in St. Louis in partnership with the St.Louis Zoo, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Gateway Arch Museum and St. Louis Chamber of Arts has been delayed due to social distancing restrictions that recently came into effect in the state. The city-wide event had a very exciting and ambitious program of activities planned for a nature and art Earth Weekend Festival later this month, and we were proud to know that the Silent Skies Mural was both a catalyst and centerpiece for the event. Although the event is delayed, we are committed to supporting the event with the mural after the social distancing restrictions are lifted. We will keep you posted on developments as we know more.
Wishing you peace, creativity and good health.

Yours in art and conservation,

Jeff Whiting
President & Founder
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.