AFC Touring Exhibit Heads South

Vancouver, BC., CANADA - November 17, 2016 - Artists for Conservation (AFC) is pleased to announce the opening of its touring exhibit at one of the most remarkable art/science institutions on the planet - the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) - a facility that uniquely combines a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium over 98 acres of desert habitat.

On December 10, the 2016 AFC Exhibit tour premieres in the Museum's Ironwood Gallery. The museum also has a large conservation and research program that work towards the conservation of the Sonora Desert region. The museum's Art Institute fosters an appreciation in the use of fine art as a vehicle for conservation awareness and support.

This is the third AFC exhibit to tour to the Desert Museum, the last being in January 2015. During the opening weekend, Jeff Whiting will be in attendance for hosted screenings of AFC's three documentary films and for the formal opening of the tour.

"We're very proud to be working with an organization dedicated to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world" explained AFC President, Jeff Whiting. The AFC Touring Exhibit, featuring 58 artworks from the Vancouver show, will be on view in the Ironwood Gallery open daily from 10am-4pm through February 5, 2017.

This year's exhibit also represents a significant expansion over previous tours to the Museum, in terms of size of the exhibit, and the depth of programming being developed in association with the event. There is a 4-day symposium planned featuring round-table discussions with AFC artists, Robert Bateman, Guy Combes, Brent Cooke, Andrew Denman, Murray Phillips, John Seerey-Lester, Suzi Seerey-Lester and Jeffrey Whiting, film screenings, and a special lecture 2016 by acclaimed artist, conservationist and AFC Festival Patron, Robert Bateman. For schedule and details, visit the ASDM website at www.desertmuseum.org/arts.

The following artists' will have work included in the tour to the Desert Museum

For more information about the AFC exhibit and opening weekend at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, visit the ASDM website.

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. Dedicated to nurture, promote and leverage its world-class community of artists in support of our natural world, AFC drives its mission through three key programs: Art & Environmental Education; Field Work & Research; and Artist Development. The Artists for Conservation Festival is AFC's annual flagship initiative to showcase, support and further these programs. For more information, visit http://www.artistsforconservation.org.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the USA and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors! The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium. Beyond merely an attraction, the Museum's conservation and research programs are providing important information to help conserve the Sonoran Desert region. The Desert Museum's Art Institute inspires conservation through art education and gallery exhibits. The Museum's publishing division, ASDM Press, has produced over 40 books and guides on the natural and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert region.

Media Contact:

pr@artistsforconservation.org