Dear Fellow AFC Artists,

With sincere wishes that this update reaches all fellow members in good health and good spirits, we're pleased to provide an update on plans for this year's AFC Exhibit and 10th Anniversary Festival.

Results for this year's exhibit were posted in June and this year's book and calendar are at the presses. With thanks again to all who participated. We had a record number of submissions this year resulting in one of the most competitive years yet, and one of the strongest shows since the exhibit first ran in 2008. A full list of exhibiting artists is now posted on the AFC site now.

Understandably, this is a strange year and given the global pandemic and related travel restrictions that continue, we know it will be challenging at best for many to attend this year's opening in Vancouver, BC. Fortunately, COVID-19 cases in British Columbia, remain very low and the province has succeeded in keeping the daily infection rate to a minimum. This has meant that international travel has been heavily restricted to only essential business travel and extenuating personal circumstances. For those considering attending, please refer to Canada's Travel Restriction Advisory.

Despite the pandemic, Vancouver is in Phase 3 of re-opening, which means events with controlled traffic are able to go-ahead, albeit with careful adherence to health protocols. As in all previous years, all AFC members are invited to attend, however this year, we understand that for many it may not be feasible, particularly as all international visitors are expected to self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival in Canada.

Major elements of this year's AFC Festival will remain, although we've had to cancel this year's opening reception evening and artist dinner. The exhibit itself will run largely as it has in the past, though with careful traffic management. We will be focusing on delivering as much of the rest of festival programming out-of-doors.

If you are able to attend, we are looking for artists to demonstrate their techniques to the visiting public. A small side-table, chair and easel will be provided at no charge. Please sign up here to participate.

We are also planning and looking forward to AFC's exhibit at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg, Florida next spring. A specific date for the artist's weekend opening has yet to be announced and we remain cautiously optimistic that the global health crisis will largely be behind us.

Finally, I'd encourage exhibitors past and present, please take note of the below additional information and advertising opportunity with Western Art Collector Magazine.

Sincerely,

Jeff Whiting

President & Founder, Artists for Conservation

Be advised that artwork must be delivered to AFC NO EARLIER THAN Friday, 14 August, 2020 and NO LATER THAN Friday, 10 September, 2020 (unless special arrangements are made in advance).

We are very pleased to have Western Art Collector return as a sponsor of the AFC Festival again this year. As in the past, they will be featuring the event in a special section in the October 2020 issue. In addition, they are offering heavily discounted advertising (as much as 65% off) and editorial coverage. This is being offered exclusively to AFC members who have previously exhibited in AFC's annual exhibit. The offer is exceptional and the savings received on any one of the ads are equivalent to four times AFC annual member dues!

All exhibiting artists should have received this offer directly from WAC.

Please help us show appreciation for WAC's support. Deadline to book space is August 21, 2020. Call 1-866-619-0841 or email coordinator@westernartcollector.com.