Every year, more than 100 painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, and authors proudly show their artistry at the Wild Arts Festival, a fundraiser for the Audubon Society of Portland. Hundreds of people come to the two-day event held in late November to shop for one-of-a-kind works of art. It is the Northwest's premier show and sale of nature-related art and books.
Those who attend the arts festival have an outstanding opportunity to meet the artists, purchase their works, and get autographed copies of books by noted authors, some of them world-renowned award winners. All are authors who write about nature and the outdoors.
The Audubon Society of Portland Showcases Nature Paintings and Books
Every type of art imaginable is included in the art fair: watercolors, paintings in oils and acrylics, photographs, all kinds of ceramics and glassware, and creatively crafted jewelry. What they have in common is that every item and every book displayed fits the theme of nature or aspects of environmental sustainability.
A special part of the Wild Arts Festival is the 6x6 Wild Art Project. This is a display of small-scale canvases, each with a bird theme, each one as different as the artists. Visitors always comment upon the variety and diversity they see within this structure.
Original Oil Paintings, Kayak Lessons, Jewelry and Wines in Silent Auction
There is also a silent auction with all kinds of tempting items up for bidding. Examples of auction items are original wildlife paintings, a vacation at a time share in Mexico, a hand-sculpted bird bath, food and wine baskets, canoe and kayak lessons and trips, and framed and matted wildlife prints. Gift certificates include art galleries, birdwatching walks, a trip with a geologist, massages, and personal services. It doesn't stop there: Mexican silver jewelry, Native American crafts, pottery, and autographed books are all up for bidding action.
The Audubon Society of Portland staff and volunteers are on hand throughout the weekend to provide information about the programs and work of the Society and to introduce visitors to a few of the live birds. The Educational Birds aspect of the festival allows people to see first-hand how the Audubon Society cares for birds that have been injured or imprinted and cannot be released into the wild. Among them are a peregrine falcon, a turkey vulture, and a raven.
The declared purpose of the Audubon Society of Portland is to promote the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. Since 1902, the Society has been inspiring people to love and protect nature, with a focus on the local community and the Pacific Northwest.
The Wild Arts Festival, which includes musical and other entertainment and a cafe, is held at the Montgomery Park Atrium and Ballroom in Northwest Portland.
HOL101
Marilyn McFarlane - Marilyn McFarlane is long-time freelance writer and editor with a focus on travel. She wrote a newspaper column for 9 years and has ...
