Last week we opened the doors to our first WildHub gallery space! We received over ten pieces of conservation artwork from our community. 

What a fantastic evening filled with conversation and connection. A big thank you to @Lara Reden for helping to setup this event and to everyone for joining and submitting your amazing artwork.

How can art impact conservation efforts?

Lize Art can be used as a universal language meaning messages can come across to people from all languages and nations.

@Alan J. Hesse Art makes a vital emotional connection that is typically missing in scientific or technical forms of communication. Art thus allows conservationists to communicate 'outside the choir', to get to a wider range of audiences. 

@Giuseppe Forestieri I loved the concept of transforming/translating our phobias and fear into art

How do you feel about particular pieces?

Lize I love the expression of the bear by Jenn it is so powerful how it is looking at you.

@Jennifer McNulty  I really focused on getting the eyes to follow you as you move about a room - that piece was about challenging the idea that animals are subserviant to us. So I tried to create a scene where (should it happen in the wild) you'd be stopped in your tracks - the bear could ignore you, or advance - but you're in its domain, and the bear will decide what happens next, not you. So for me, it's a very confrontational piece, it's about recognising and respecting the power of nature - but then again, I have had people say that they want to cuddle it! (Which says a lot about their survival skills :D but it is quite a fluffy beast)

Salmon colouring book page submitted by Kate 

This piece was designed for a talk that we gave to school children as part of the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Initiative. The salmon was drawn by Carlos Finlay, and I created the background. I have been designing and promoting colouring sheets for various science engagement events, which began as a lockdown project in 2020. These are accessible via the Wildlife Craft Club Instagram page (@wcc_forall). It’s so fantastic to see people getting involved with the colouring pages and activity sheets, whilst learning about the importance of salmon conservation.

@Alan J. Hesse great technique on display here in different styles. I admire the salmon with it's background all in one picture showing the spp in its habitat.

Check out some of the pieces that have kindly been left on display in our gather space here! Or join us in our next social (Wednesday 9th November 2022) to have another sneak peek)

If you’d like to submit some of your work for our gallery, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/y4WBQHb64as5CzSV9

Any questions at all please get in contact directly or through hello@wildhub.community