This weekend I visited the Sonoran Desert Museum to view the current exhibit by the Artists for Conservation – the world’s leading artist group dedicated to supporting conservation. Annually they present a juried exhibition and benefit titled “The Art of Conservation: an international exhibit of nature in art”.  The event recognizes artists for their commitment, involvement and passion to artistic excellence coupled with conservation while directly supporting conservation organizations around the globe through the sale of their work.

While the entire show at the Desert Museum this year was quite stirring and beautiful, my favorites included an incredibly moving while warmly calming large oil painting by Kathleen Dunn titled Last Night with two owls; a smaller beautiful acrylic titled Black-throated Sparrows and Silver Leaf Sunray  by Sharon Schafer; Migrating Cranes by Hans Kappel; Trumpeter Echelon by Gregory McHuron; and Robert Bateman’s capturing and alluring oil, Pacific Northwest Snow Laden Scene with a Pack of Seven Wolves.

While this visit was focused on the AFC exhibit, I, of course, had to take advantage of being there again and spend time throughout the museum’s renowned habitat and wildlife exhibits. The museum is an excellent avenue to gain acquaintance and a plethora of knowledge about the often hidden gifts of the quiet desert. If you plan a visit to Arizona, it is definitely a “must see” on your touring schedule. One could easily spend the better part of day to fully explore all they offer. For more information please visit www.desertmuseum.org.

If you’ve not yet visited the Artists for Conservation website (www.artistsforconservation.org), I invite you to take a few minutes and visit their website of diverse and talented international artists dedicated to wildlife and habitat conservation and outstanding artistic expression. I was juried into Artists for Conservation in 2011 and am delighted to be a part of their outstanding mission.