UK's Pollyanna Pickering Appointed Festival Patron

Vancouver, B.C. CANADA - July 31, 2014 - Pollyanna Pickering, internationally acclaimed nature artist and conservationist is lending her support as the official Festival Artist Patron of the Artists for Conservation Festival on Grouse Mountain, in North Vancouver, BC. The 10-day event will bring out leading nature and wildlife artists from around the world, immersing visitors in art and nature through workshops, film, and a world's top conservation-themed art exhibit of 80 original paintings and sculptures. All artwork sales benefit conservation. Pollyanna will take over the honorary position of Festival Artist Patron from Robert Bateman, who assumed the role for the previous three years of the Festival.

"We are honored to have Pollyanna return to the festival as the official Artist Patron." affirms Jeff Whiting, President and founder of Artists for Conservation. Her spectacular painting of Snow Leopards will hang in the exhibit next to the artwork of 80 of the world's leading nature and wildlife artists and naturalists at Grouse Mountain. Her generous contribution will support AFC's art and environmental education programming."

Pollyanna has been a long-time and active supporter of AFC. She travelled to Bhutan carrying AFC's Flag to capture the biodiversity of the kingdom, has offered workshops and lectures at AFC's events since AFC's first exhibit in 2008. In 2012, Pollyanna was presented with AFC's top honor - the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award for her conservation work through her art and the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation.

Pollyanna explains "AFC has created a global community of world-class artists who share a common interest in artistic excellence and wildlife conservation. I am proud and honoured to be the 2014 Artist Patron for the AFC Festival. I believe that today the wildlife artist plays a vital role in raising public awareness of conservation issues.  This unique world-class event is innovative in celebrating the depiction of the natural world in art while inspiring people of all ages through environmental education."

Pollyanna's painting of a pair of Snow Leopards, will be available for sale ($25,000 US) and on display in the exhibit during the festival. Proceeds from the sales of the artwork will directly support Artists for Conservation art and environmental education programming, including the AFC Flag expeditions and education programs.

The Artists for Conservation Festival opens to public at 10 a.m. September 27, 2014 on Grouse Mountain - providing a unique venue overlooking the pacific ocean to celebrate artists and nature. Festival programming is included with Grouse Mountain admission ticket. For detailed Festival information, program schedule and discounted festival admission passes, visit www.artistsforconservation.org/festival.

Credit: Photo of Pollyanna Pickering taken by Anna-Loise Pickering.