Columbia Wetlands - Natural Inspiration
Wetlands provide muse for upcoming art show at Art Gallery of Golden
Wildsight and the Art Gallery of Golden (AGOG) will mount a mixed media art exhibit that explores the Columbia River and Wetlands this January. Columbia Wetlands — Natural Inspiration will open on January 31, 2009 to commemorate World Wetland Day (February 2, 2009.)
Studio artists from the Columbia Valley and the Kootenays responded to the call for submissions with excellent, original works in several mediums. Renowned wildlife artist and conservationist Robert Bateman contributed the forward for the catalogue and an original print for the exhibit.
Wildsight program manager Ellen Zimmerman explained why a conservation organization and an art gallery came together on the exhibit: “Both organizations believe that the long-term survival of the Columbia Wetlands will depend on reaching out to all facets of society. This exhibit is a beautiful way to do that. Wildsight is very grateful to work with the Art Gallery of Golden.”
“In the past,” Zimmerman added, “Wildsight has focused on science-based education, which is great, but we wanted to reach more people in new ways. This exhibit, its catalogue and the website that comes from it will help us do that. We hope that it will move viewers to a greater understanding, appreciation and stewardship of this natural treasure.”
The Golden Community Foundation, Columbia Basin Trust and the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners contributed to the project, allowing for the production of a full-colour print catalogue. The catalogue will become a web-based exhibit, viewed by visitors from around the world.
Bill Usher, AGOG Executive Director, believes the exhibit will create long-lasting ripples in viewers.
“Artists derive inspiration from the Columbia Wetlands and create lasting legacies from that inspiration,” he said. “The exhibit, catalogue of the artwork and the website will facilitate long-term educational opportunities. We are fortunate indeed to have a muse like the Columbia Wetlands to move artists to create.”
“We hope Natural Inspiration will share ideas that touch the heart,” Zimmerman added, “to inspire a lasting commitment from all members of our community to help sustain the Columbia Wetlands.”
The exhibit will open on January 31 and run through March 28 at the Art Gallery of Golden.
— 30— (See below for contact and background information)
Contact:
Ellen Zimmerman, program director, Wildsight
250-348-2225 • ellen@wildsight.ca
Bill Usher, executive director, Art Gallery of Golden
250-344-6186 • info@kickinghorseculture.ca
About the Art Gallery of Golden
First opened in February 2007, the AGOG is a public art gallery established by Kicking Horse Culture, aka Golden District Arts Council. Moving down the street in June, 2008 to an enlarged and newly-renovated space on the main street of downtown Golden, AGOG and the new Studio Gift Shop are a primary outlet for the visual arts in Golden and the Columbia Valley.
About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca
About the Columbia Wetlands
The Columbia Wetlands are one of the longest intact wetlands in North America. They are critically important to migratory birds and resident birds and wildlife. This biologically diverse expanse is the headwaters of the Columbia River, the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean from North America
The Columbia Wetlands are more than 180 kilometres in length — making them some of the longest intact wetlands in North America. They were chosen as Ramsar Wetlands of International Significance in 2005. These 25,000-hectare wetlands represent one of the few remaining intact portions of the Pacific Flyway, a crucial path for migrating birds.
Because so many of the wetland ecosystems on the Columbia River have been lost through damming, draining and flooding, the Columbia Wetlands are even more important for wildlife and migratory birds. During spring and fall migration periods, tens of thousands of birds representing hundreds of species can be found resting and feeding in the Columbia Wetlands. .
The Columbia Wetlands are essential to people, too. As nature’s water filter, they play a key role in keeping our water clean and pure. The Columbia Wetlands store excess water, then slowly release this filtered water back into the ground water table. In the process, they remove many harmful impurities. The wetlands, along with the Columbia water system, are the primary source of fresh water to over 15 million people. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, there’s a good chance each time you turn on the tap, you’re connecting with the Columbia Wetlands.
