Sat, Sep 12th, 2020

I am honored with ARTISTS FOR CONSERVATION'S HIGHEST AWARD

AFC to Recognize Anne London with Top Conservation Award

Vancouver, BC CANADA – Sept 8, 2020 - In 2020, internationally acclaimed American artist, Anne London will be recognized for her lifetime of conservation leadership and artistic achievement with Artists for Conservation’s (AFC's) top honor: the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award. AFC bestows the award annually to individuals for exemplifying the achievements and dedication of the award's namesake.

“Anne's story is an inspiring one of a highly accomplished and talented artist who has made it her life's calling to inform, inspire and educate youth in Africa about the importance of appreciating and conserving wildlife" explains AFC President and Founder, Jeff Whiting. Whiting adds "Her vision and dedication in establishing a learning center in Zimbabwe and an international network of partners supporting youth education in the conservation space, is truly inspiring." Anne joins a who’s-who roster of international recipients chosen for their artistic excellence and lifetime of extraordinary support of conservation, including David Shepherd, Robert Bateman, John Banovich, and Robert Glen.

     Each year for the past 40 years, Anne has exhibited her extraordinary work and built strong ties with the zoo and conservation community, supporting wildlife conservation organizations. Using her acclaim as an artist, she has been actively involved with many causes, including Explorers Against Extinction, The International Rhino Foundation, The Ruaha Carnivore project, Painted Dog Conservation, Timbavati Foundation, The South African Wildlife College, The Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Children in the Wilderness and the Cheetah Conservation Foundation, often providing financial support, artwork, logos and poster development. Anne serves on the board of The Project Hope Foundation,and has raised well over $1,000,000 for conservation projects, programs, and organizations worldwide.

For decades, Anne has been travelling to Africa, basing her work on her real-life experiences in the African bush. In 2014, she and her famed oceanographer/photographer husband, Jim Hart, formed a non-profit named Arts for Animals, with the goal of connecting conservation with creativity. With the help of their partner, Children in the Wilderness, they started the Arts for Animals Wildlife Arts Center, giving local children a place to be exposed to, and learn about, art and wildlife stewardship.

      Arts For Animals has since grown into an international organization inspiring thousands of children as future stewards of wildlife habitat, through drawing kits, activity posters, inspirational art and classroom teaching aids to partner conservation organizations and schools in four African countries and across the globe. It also organizes mentoring by teachers and local artists and offers scholarships to future artists, rangers and park administrators.

AFC’s Simon Combes Conservation Award was established in 2006 is the highest honour AFC presents to an artist member. The annual award has become the  world's most prestigious conservation award for visual artists. The award's namesake, Simon Combes was a prominent member of AFC until his tragic passing in 2004, when he was killed in an encounter with a Cape Buffalo near his home.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tentative plans are to present Anne with the award at a formal ceremony in early 2021 at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg, Florida. Details TBA.

Learn more about Anne through her AFC website at www.artistsforconservation.org.

Artists for Conservation

Artists for Conservation (AFC) is the world's leading group of artists supporting the environment. Founded in 1997, the non-profit organization comprises a membership of 500 of the world's most gifted nature artists from 27 countries, across five continents.

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