Artists Appear at Grouse Mountain to Paint Live Birds for Artists for Conservation Festival, 9/28

Watch some of the world's top nature and wildlife artists sketch live birds of prey at the opening gala for the third annual Artists for Conservation Festival on Grouse Mountain. The original art pieces will be auctioned off with proceeds directly supporting Artists for Conservation's charitable year-round programming. A special opening gala of the highly-anticipated festival will kick off an extraordinary line up of events over the course of the ten-day happening.

Presented by RE/MAX and sponsored by Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, the third annual Artists for Conservation Festival features an incredible schedule of art and environmental education activities, including the world's top conservation-themed art exhibit. The exhibit features 80 original paintings and sculptures by world-renowned artists such as Robert Bateman, Guy Harvey, Mark Hobson, David Kitler, Pollyanna Pickering and Ed Spera. All artwork is for sale with 40% of proceeds benefiting conservation.

"The AFC Festival is an artistic, cultural and educational experience that captures the social climate of concern for the planet today," said Jeff Whiting, founder and President of Artists for Conservation. "The festival is also an opportunity to learn more about those leading organizations working to protect wildlife and wild places in BC and around the globe."

This year's festival will also play host to the first annual BC Conservation Symposium on Thursday, October 3. The day-long symposium will feature some of the top conservation leadership in B.C. as they discuss the most pressing issues facing the province.

The Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife and OWL Rehabilitation Society will be supporting the festival with live animal ambassadors - each with their own conservation story.

"Throughout the festival our guests will have the opportunity to explore the art exhibit, watch live painting demonstrations, listen to lectures, participate in art workshops and mingle with the world's most talented nature and wildlife artists," said Whiting. "Visitors will also have a chance to see our third documentary: "Art of the Ocean - Sea Turtles, Stingrays & Conservation in the Caymans."

The festival opens to public at 10am on Saturday, September 28 and runs until Sunday, October 6 on Grouse Mountain - providing a spectacular venue to celebrate art and nature at 4100 feet, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A special family weekend is planned for Saturday, October 5 through Sunday, October 6. For detailed Festival information, tickets, program schedule and regular updates, visit: http://www.artistsforconservation.org/festival.

About Artists for Conservation

Artists for Conservation (AFC) 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. Dedicated to nurture, promote and leverage its world-class community of artists in support of our natural world, AFC drives its mission through three key programs: Art & Environmental Education; Field Work & Research; and Artist Development. The Artists for Conservation Festival is AFC's annual flagship initiative to showcase, support and further these programs. For more information, visit www.artistsforconservation.org