Artists for Conservation Uses Wildlife Art to Support Environmental Stewardship Worldwide

 

“Conservation has gotten to be extremely important,” says Anne Peyton, wildlife artist and signature member of Artists for Conservation (AFC). She has been a member of AFC since 2005, when she was an associate member and was promoted to signature member status in 2012.

AFC was founded in 1997 by artist, scientist, and author Jeff Whiting. The organization is operated in British Columbia, Canada, and represents approximately 500 wildlife/nature artists from more than 30 countries, all of whom are committed to conservation.

 

2026 Best in Show for Painting: Mother Tree, Kentaro Nishino

Mother Tree portrays a towering beech reaching toward the sky, sheltering the many animals that depend upon it. The inspiration came from the ancient beech forests at the foot of Mount Hakusan, one of my favourite places to visit throughout the changing seasons. Whenever I enter this forest, I breathe in the scent of fresh buds, listen to the voices of wildlife, and draw inspiration from its quiet beauty. I often embrace the trunk of a giant beech and rest my ear against its bark, where the cool wood seems to carry the sound of flowing water. Remembering that the water we drink begins in forests like these reminds me that humans, no less than wildlife, are sustained by these remarkable ecosystems.

 

AFC’s mission is “To support conservation and environmental education through art that celebrates nature.” Its members help to support scientific research efforts focused on endangered species and threatened habitats, recognize those with a commitment to conservation, and raise funds for conservation through art.

In September, AFC celebrated its annual festival, an arts and cultural event centered around the natural world. The multi-day event includes cultural performances, plein air painting, live music, and artist demos and was hosted at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The festival also includes a juried exhibit and sale with works from almost 200 artists. At least 40 percent of the proceeds from art sales go toward conservation and environmental education, and each piece of work in the show is dedicated to supporting a conservation cause of the artist’s choice.

 

2026 Best in Show for Sculpture: Long Arm – Telling Leuser’s Story, The Blind Witness, Casey Banwell

Long Arm is a life-sized sculpture of a blind Sumatran orangutan, created in response to the true story of Leuser, an orangutan who was shot over sixty times after entering a palm oil plantation. He survived but lost his sight. Long Arm is not simply a representation of an animal, but a witness. It asks the viewer to consider their relationship with the natural world, and the role they play within it. The sculpture forms part of a wider public installation trail, using accessible, interactive encounters to raise awareness of deforestation, habitat loss, and the consequences of consumer-driven environmental damage.

 

“When viewers come and look at the work, not only are they looking at beautiful pieces of artwork, but they can read the story that accompanies the art that explains the conservation message,” Peyton says. “It’s a perfect place for artists to be if you are passionate about conservation.”

An awards reception for the 2026 exhibit and sale was hosted on the evening of September 24. The Best of Show awards went to Casey Banwell and Kentaro Nishino. Agnieszka Elliott, Christina Dunzinger, Stephen Jesic, Bruce Lawes, Sarah McComb-Turbitt, Natalie Parker, and Gordon Pembridge received Medals of Excellence for their work. Other award winners included Matt Patterson, Zoe Evamy, Mark Hobson, Eleazar Saenz, Mark Hobson, Emily Lozeron, Brett Blumenthal, Michael Dumas, Martin Gates, Monika Loevenmark, and Ellen Woodbury.

“They want everyone to have a good time, but at the same time, be good stewards of the land and care for animals, call attention to it with their artwork, and then actually do good work with their artwork,” Peyton says.

To learn more about Artists for Conservation, visit artistsforconservation.org.