The Wildlife Art Society International Award

In her role as patron Anna-Louise was honoured to be invited to officially open The Wildlife Art Society International’s Annual Exhibition at their preview event in May. She returned the following month to present the awards at the closing ceremony (below). A selection of Pollyanna’s original artwork was on display throughout the event, which showcases the best of wildlife art from around the world.

Anna-Louise was most delighted to present the first official Pollyanna Pickering Award for Conservation through Wildlife Art to for a painting of any species officially listed as endangered to Lesley Connolly (above left) for her painting of Painted Dogs. The piece was accompanied by her field sketches – a condition of entry to reflect Pollyanna’s passion for painting animals she had studied from life, in their natural habitats.

The Award itself included a grant of £250.00 to be donated to any wildlife or conservation charity of the winner’s choice. We are delighted to say that Lesley selected Scottish Wildcat Action.

Their Development officer Christianne McKenzie said “Thank you for the generous gift awarded from the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation. Please pass on our thanks to Lesley Connelly for selecting us as her chosen charity. The iconic Scottish Wildcat is on the verge of extinction and we are committed to saving the ‘Tiger of the Highlands’ before it is too late. The project works hard to reduce the threats to our last remaining wildcats, and we also aim to build up a viable population of wildcats to bolster the population, with aim of future release in a safe area of the Scottish Highlands.”

We are delighted that with this donation the award fulfils the dual aim of showing how wildlife art can raise awareness for threatened species, and also be used for fundraising – in this instance Scottish Wildcats will benefit in a very immediate way. It encompasses perfectly Pollyanna’s aim that her art should benefit the wildlife she painted as much as possible.

We are delighted to announce that the chosen cause for this year’s annual exhibition was the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation, and Anna-Louise is pictured right receiving a cheque for the wonderful amount of £1000.00 from Exhibition Coordinator John Horton.