Awards

Simon Combes Conservation Award

Above: Simon Combes. Below: Simon Combes Conservation Award Trophy, designed by AFC artist Peter Gray

AFC's Simon Combes Conservation Award is the most prestigious award and highest honour AFC presents to a member artist who has shown artistic excellence and extraordinary contributions to the conservation cause, exemplifying the same qualities as the award's namesake. Past honourees include Robert Bateman, John Banovich, Guy Combes, Guy Coheleach, Richard Ellis,  Robert Glen, Dr. Guy Harvey,  Mark Hobson, Karen Laurence-Rowe, Pollyanna Pickering, John & Suzie Seerey-Lester, David Shepherd, and Sue Stolberger.

In 2020, internationally acclaimed American artist, Anne London will be recognized for her conservation leadership and artistic achievement. “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 will receive her award in Spring 2021. Learn more.

Artist, conservationist and philanthropist, Priscilla Baldwin will receive AFC’s 2019 Simon Combes Conservation Award. Priscilla will receive AFC's 2019 award this January 2020 in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Always a conservationist, Priscilla's art has given her a channel to promote specific subjects and habitats. Her passion for conservation was magnified in the 1990's, while she was learning botanical illustration and made it a personal mission to inspire others to become conservationists through art. Three decades ago, Master scratchboard artist and philanthropist, Priscilla Baldwin, turned her life's passion for desert wildlife toward transforming public attitudes and interest in nature through art and founding the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute in 1998 .  Learn more

On August 22nd, 2018 AFC honored internationally acclaimed Kenyan artist, Guy Combes recognized for his conservation leadership and artistic achievement with Artists for Conservation's top honor: the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award. The award is especially significant in that it was established in memory of Guy's father who was a world-renowned wildlife artist and prominent conservationist. AFC bestows the award annually to individuals for exemplifying the achievements and dedication of the award's namesake. More information

In 2017, Canadian Artist, Mark Hobson was honored with the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award.

In 2016, legendary American wildlife artist, Guy Coheleach travelled from Florida to Vancouver, BC to receive AFC's highest honor - the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award.

In 2015, renowned African artist and anti-poaching activist, Karen Laurence-Rowe travelled from her home in Kenya to Vancouver, BC receive the Simon Combes Conservation Artist Award.

A prominent member of AFC, Simon Combes was Project Director of the Kenya chapter of the Rhino Rescue Trust, an organization founded in 1985 to protect endangered species from being poached, and to help the communities surrounding Lake Nakuru National Park affected by wildlife conflicts. On December 12th, 2004, Simon was tragically killed by a charging Cape buffalo while hiking near his home in Kenya. 

Simon was widely respected as a man of superb artistic talent, as a brilliant communicator, writer, instructor, world-traveler, painter, and as a steward of our planet. We were honoured to have had him as a member of Artists for Conservation.

The award's trophy design, the result of a competition among AFC members, was created by Peter Gray of South Africa. Depicting two wildebeest emerging from a mass and fragmenting slightly to indicate the fragility of our efforts to sustain the wilderness areas and the disappearing herds, the trophy is sculpted in clay and founded bronze with personalized inscription.

Learn more about the Simon Combes Conservation Award and past winners.

In 2012, AFC produced it's 2nd documentary film on Simon Combes and Soysambu. "The Soysambu Legacy: Art and Conservation in Africa's Rift Valley" is a film that tells the extraordinary tale of acclaimed artist and conservationist Simon Combes, and his efforts to protect and capture in art, Africa's endangered species. The film shares how Combes founded the Soysambu Conservancy, a non-profit organisation, and how it endeavours to preserve Africa's Great Rift Valley ecosystem for the benefit of future generations. Watch the Trailer!

2019 Awards & Medals

Artists receiving the awards are as follows:

Best in Show, Painting

• Stephen Jesic for his painting, “Morning Reflections”

Best in Show, Sculpture

• Rosetta for her sculpture, “Balancing Act”

Medals of Excellence

• Michael Dumas for his painting, “Mid Day Sun”
• Stephen Jesic for his painting, “Morning Reflections”
• Bruce Lawes for his painting, “Your Highness”
• Bruce Lawes for his painting, “In the Shadow of Greatness”
• Rosetta for her sculpture, “Balancing Act”
• Cathy Weiss for her painting, “Orphans at Play”

Environmental Statement Award

• “Survivor” by Serena Bates

Interpretive/Abstract Award (NEW)

• “Coming Home” by Chris Maynard

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Award, Arabella Magazine Editor's Choice and Western Art Collector Magazine Editor's Choice awards will be announced at a later date.

Artists attending the 2019 Festival will receive their awards at the AFC artists dinner on September 26 in Vancouver, BC.

2018 Awards & Medals

Artists receiving the awards are as follows:

Guy Combes will receive the Simon Combes Conservation Award on August 22, 2018 in Vancouver, BC. 

 Best in Show, Painting (tie)

• James Hough for his painting “Sanctuary”;
• Jason Kamin for his painting “The Watchman”  

• Jason Kamin for his painting, “The Watchman”  

• Kim Duffek for “Cacophony in Blue”  

2017 Awards & Medals

Every year Artists for Conservation pays tribute to international artists with awards. Fourteen artists were honored in 2017. The awards include five AFC Medals of Excellence, which recognizes at least five outstanding artworks in the exhibit, and two Environmental Statement Awards. AFC has also created a new Best in Show Award in 2016, in recognition of the highest scoring artwork by the jury panel in the annual exhibit.  Learn more