Surrey, B.C., Feb. 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Connecting Canadians with the benefits of conservation is central to the Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) National Art Portfolio.
“Among our greatest challenges in wetland conservation is transforming how people relate to the natural world,” says Karla Guyn, CEO of Ducks Unlimited Canada. “Artists have a unique ability to evoke people’s feelings about the importance of our land, water and wildlife. They are strong proponents of conservation and their artwork is a powerful tool for building appreciation and support for wetland conservation in Canada.”
The 2019 National Art Portfolio is a collection of memorable moments that highlight the importance of Canada’s natural environment to our Canadian lifestyles. “Each year DUC receives hundreds of submissions,” says Guyn. “We select pieces that we feel can inspire Canadians to reflect on their own experiences in nature and to embrace wetland conservation within their lives.” Two outstanding artists from British Columbia are featured in this year’s collection, each of them winning the program’s top awards for their submissions.
Terry Isaac is a 30-year veteran in conservation art. His pieces Spirits of the Sky and Veiled in Mist were both selected for inclusion in this year’s collection, with Isaac receiving the distinction of 2019 National Art Portfolio Artist of the Year for the latter. Capturing the mystery and intrigue of the grizzly in a moment’s breath, Isaac lifts a veil of fear and brings viewers into a gentle and playful world punctuated by a survival instinct.
Okanagan Valley-based conservation artist Peter Steuart is distinguished as 2019 DUC Waterfowl Stamp and Print Artist for Passing the Time, a piece that sparks optimism for the survival of wildlife in the face of human development. “One of my favorite haunts to seek out waterfowl is a small but thriving marsh created a century ago by an ill-conceived irrigation project,” he says of his inspiration for the piece. “In my painting, the marsh's quiet beauty draws attention to the fact that human caused change is not inevitably for the worst.”
DUC has been partnering with artists on the National Art Portfolio since 1986. The annually-released collection is up for auction with proceeds funding DUC’s conservation work. Canadians can bid on pieces in the collection now at ducks.ca/2019NAP.
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) delivers wetland conservation that benefits every Canadian. We keep the water in your lakes and rivers clean. We protect your community from the effects of flood and drought. We save wildlife and special natural places. We use science to find solutions to the most important environmental issues of the day and we collaborate with people who are helping create a healthier world. The wetlands we save aren’t just for ducks; they’re for all of us. Visit Ducks.ca.