Art benefits Conservation

There are many ways to highlight the importance of conserving our environment. Reflecting on its beauty and diversity is one of those ways and this is where art has an important role to play. Recognising this, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands-based non-profit organisation, the Wildlands Conservation Trust, holds an annual ‘Art for Conservation’ fundraising evening: an extensive exhibition featuring Africa’s wildlife, its landscapes and its people, and a gala dinner and auction. This year’s event was held recently at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom and raised more than R400 000 for the Trust.

‘[This exhibition] really captures the spirit and the essence of this wonderful country we have’, said the Trust’s CEO, Dr Andrew Venter, in his address to guests during the evening. The four hundred guests were treated to a four-course dinner complimented by entertainment from the Tekweni String Trio, Drumming Africa and the incredible Opera Kings, who gave guests the royal treatment. Auctioneer Brandon Lear ran a lively auction featuring pieces by artists such as Dylan Lewis, Walter Voigt, Anne Cleveland and local wildlife painter Ian Van Zyl. Attending the evening were some of Durban’s top businesses headed up by Investec Private Bank, sponsors of the function.

Of the R400 000 funds raised, R210 000 was raised from the art auction alone. All sixteen pieces on auction were donated by the artists and all the pieces on exhibition gave forty to fifty percent of sales to the Trust, raising a further R100 000. Pledges fetched by the four-hundred guests on the night tallied a amazing R66 000! The remaining funds were raised through table sales and corporate sponsorship. Event organiser Christine Bateson was very pleased with the outcome of the event: “Thanks to our art curator Lindsay Sommer for an outstanding exhibition and special thanks to our sponsors and all our generous buyers and guests for making it one of our most successful events yet”.

For more information on Wildlands Art for Conservation event call ‘Party Planner’ Christine Bateson on 033 343 6380 or e-mail christineb@localhost/import-data-post.