I was amazed at how much fun the SEWE event was. There were so many wonderful artists at this event and it was very well organized.....
Here's the SEWE Press release to sum up the highpoint of the show for me...
"At the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, Anne London set a new record for the highest price ever bid for the annual SEWE “quick draw” event. Each year, for the past 35 years, invited exhibiting artists compete to create an original art piece in front of SEWE members and guests. Artists had one hour to complete an art piece to be auctioned off at the end of the event. Over three hundred wildlife art enthusiasts and gallery owners bid for the art pieces just completed by several of the most prominent wildlife artists in the world. Anne’ s piece, "Memories of Savute,’” was auctioned for $6000 ,a new SEWE record! Over $2000 more than the previous highest SEWE "quickdraw" bid .
Anne said, “Holding up my art in front of so many experienced wildlife art collectors was pretty nerve wracking. My adrenaline was pumping, as I just hoped my art would make it past the $1500 mark the three prior pieces had sold for.”
Jim and Anne, as well as the excited and roaring crowd, could not believe their ears as the bidding kept going higher and higher, finally pitting two couples, that had watched every stroke of Anne’s brush, against one another.
“This had to be one of the most exciting and interesting days of my life,” commented Anne after the cheers died down. "I was happy to make that contribution to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition’s conservation programs.”
SEWE is the oldest wildlife and sporting exhibition in the United Satates and features hundreds of demonstrations, exhibits and competitions each year. Anne London exhibited her work, along with over 90 other of the world's most successful artists, at this years SEWE wildlife art exhibition."
I was quite proud to have made such a " splash" at my first SEWE exhibition!
