Our Founder

Letter from our Founder and Festival Executive Director

Every fall since 2008 has been a special time, when artists from around the globe convene at Artists for Conservation’s exhibit premiere, to share their knowledge, passion, expertise and camaraderie. Each brings a unique perspective through their paintings and sculptures, and a deep understanding and reverence for the subjects they portray. These artists are a part of a very special international AFC community that has grown over nearly two decades and spanning almost 30 countries.

The AFC Festival offers an unparalleled chance for the public to meet these talented and dedicated artists in a unique forum of natural beauty, education and creativity.

In 2018, we’re proud to have partnered with the oldest and most important event in bird studies – the 27th International Ornithological Congress. This year’s event is not just exciting in terms of its scope, but in terms of the platform of cooperation between science and culture. AFC’s role this year is helping to transform and cross-pollinate a largely academic event into a major international cultural happening. Indeed, we’re proud to support the emergence of yet another cultural event – the Vancouver International Bird Festival – as an exciting legacy outcome of this cooperation, for the host city of Vancouver.

For this banner year, we envisioned an ambitious collaborative mural project titled “Silent Skies” that would bring over 150 artists together to depict the world’s 678 endangered species of birds.

There is an unhealthy and growing disconnect in society, away from the natural world that supports us. The Artists for Conservation Festival represents a cultural movement, and the embodiment of applied art – that is, art in action to change the world. It’s our responsibility as artists, to use our talents and convictions to inspire the public and youth of tomorrow, to take action to protect what remains of this planet’s natural wonders. Each painting or sculpture has an important conservation story each artist is eager to share. The AFC Festival is a “gathering of the clans” among artists.

A heartfelt thank you to the artists, volunteers, sponsors, musicians, patrons, our partners and our 2019 host, VanDusen Botanical Gardens. 

Enjoy your time at this important event. 

Jeff Whiting
President/Founder, Artists For Conservation