Pollyanna to be Patron of the World’s Top International Wildlife Art Festival

Pollyanna is honoured to have been invited to accept the role of patron to the world’s top conservation-themed art exhibition. The 5th annual Artists for Conservation Festival will take place from September 26 – October 4 at Grouse Mountain Resort in Vancouver, Canada.

She is especially honoured to be taking over the role of patron from fellow artist Robert Bateman (above right). The Canadian painter – who is often described as the world’s greatest wildlife artist – is a world renowned conservationist who has held the post since the inaugural event. The festival provides a spectacular venue for top artists from around the world to join efforts in raising awareness and support for conservation.

Pollyanna will be attending the opening weekend of the gala, when she will deliver the patron’s address at a glittering VIP gala preview dinner and the opening remarks at the official opening ceremony. She will also deliver the keynote lecture on the first day of the festival, and a second presentation centred around her work with bears of the world.

The festival program will continue its focus on art and environmental education for the benefit of wildlife and habitat conservation. The centrepiece of the event is the international juried AFC annual exhibition – featuring approximately 80 original paintings and sculptures by master artists from around the world. In addition to AFC’s annual art exhibit there will be meet-the-artists events, lectures, music and cultural presentations, art and conservation themed films, workshops for adults and students, gallery tours, live artistic demonstrations, ticketed events and cultural performances. AFC will premiere its latest documentary during the festival.

The event will also see the presentation of the wildlife art world’s top international award – the Simon Combes Award for Conservation through Artistic Excellence. Pollyanna was the recipient of this prestigious honour in 2012. Pollyanna was also granted a fellowship from the AFC in support of her landmark expedition into Bhutan. She acted as an ambassador for the AFC throughout the journey, and carried their expedition flag.

The venue for the festival, Grouse Mountain, is Vancouver’s premiere attraction, with panoramic views of the city, ocean and beyond. Grouse Mountain offers a host of year round outdoor activities as well as dining, gift shops and the Theatre in the Sky. Grouse Mountain also manages a Refuge for Endangered Wildlife that includes three wolves and two orphaned grizzly bear cubs. The Refuge is an active participant in the North American Hummingbird Monitoring Network and the Northern Spotted Owl captive breeding program, so in between carrying out her official duties, Pollyanna is looking forward to observing and sketching some of the area’s beautiful wildlife.