 AFC Best of Show Award Winner
 Medal of Excellence |
Casey Banwell 
"Long Arm - Telling Leuser's Story, The Blind Witness" (Sculpture)
Long Arm is a life-sized sculpture of a blind Sumatran orangutan, created in response to the true story of Leuser, an orangutan who was shot over sixty times after entering a palm oil plantation. He survived but lost his sight. Long Arm is not simply a representation of an animal, but a witness. It asks the viewer to consider their relationship with the natural world, and the role they play within it. The sculpture forms part of a wider public installation trail, using accessible, interactive encounters to raise awareness of deforestation, habitat loss, and the consequences of consumer-driven environmental damage.
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AFC Best of Show Award Winner
Medal of Excellence |
Kentaro Nishino 
"Mother Tree" (Acrylic)
Mother Tree portrays a towering beech reaching toward the sky, sheltering the many animals that depend upon it. The inspiration came from the ancient beech forests at the foot of Mount Hakusan, one of my favourite places to visit throughout the changing seasons. Whenever I enter this forest, I breathe in the scent of fresh buds, listen to the voices of wildlife, and draw inspiration from its quiet beauty. I often embrace the trunk of a giant beech and rest my ear against its bark, where the cool wood seems to carry the sound of flowing water. Remembering that the water we drink begins in forests like these reminds me that humans, no less than wildlife, are sustained by these remarkable ecosystems.
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Environmental Statement Award |
Matt Patterson 
"Danger" (Acrylic)
This painting is from the picture book "The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle" telling the true story of a snapping turtle named Fire Chief. Turtles are some of the most beautiful, varied and toughest animals on the planet. They have been around for over 200 million years. They survived the asteroid impact 66 million years ago, they have survived ice ages. The question is will they survive us because they are one of the most endangered groups of animals on the planet. They are threatened by habitat loss to roads, houses and factories. By climate change, poaching and pollution. Stepping in to protect them gives us human newcomers a great opportunity to take our hand in upholding the health of our beautiful green planet.
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Best Interpretive / Abstract |
Zoë Evamy 
"Greater Spotted Cuckoo" (Acrylic)
This painting depicts a juvenile Greater Spotted Cuckoo sheltered among the protective thorns of an acacia tree on the Serengeti plains. I began with an abstract expression of heat and harshness, allowing the composition to evolve naturally until the bird emerged unexpectedly from the canvas. Through research and sketching, I learned that Greater Spotted Cuckoos often inhabit dry, thorny landscapes across sub-Saharan Africa. The dramatic scale of the acacia’s spines compared with the relatively small bird became a powerful visual metaphor for resilience. The painting reflects the ability of wildlife to survive—and even thrive—within demanding environments, reminding us that strength often emerges in places where conditions appear least forgiving.
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Medal of Excellence Western Art Collector Magazine Award Winner |
Agnieszka (Aga) Elliott
"Love is in the Eyes" (Oil)
This work marks a departure from my usual approach and became an unexpectedly immersive exploration of connection through the eyes of wildlife. The familiar expression, “The eyes are the window to the soul,” feels especially true in the natural world. Through 25 intimate studies, each focused solely on an animal’s eye, I sought to reveal awareness, instinct, and an emotional presence that transcends words. From the piercing gaze of a raptor to the quiet gentleness of a panda, every eye tells a story of survival, adaptation, and resilience. Together, these portraits celebrate the extraordinary diversity of life while inviting viewers to pause, connect, and recognize that what looks back at us is far less distant than we might imagine.
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Medal of Excellence |
Christina Dunzinger
"High Perch" (Oil)
reat horned owls spend their days perched high in trees, waiting for dusk before beginning their nightly hunt. As skilled predators, they help maintain healthy ecosystems by controlling rodent populations. Their remarkable camouflage makes them surprisingly difficult to spot unless you know where to look. I was fortunate to observe one Great Horned Owl for an afternoon from the window of my home as it rested in a nearby pine tree. Although fully aware of my presence, it calmly allowed me to watch, inspiring this painting. Today, forest fires, deforestation, and pesticides continue to threaten owl populations. My hope is that we learn to coexist more thoughtfully with wildlife and recognize the vital role these magnificent birds play in our own survival.
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Medal of Excellence |
Stephen Jesic 
"Silent Watch" (Acrylic)
“Silent Watch” is an intimate bush setting capturing a fleeting moment of a cheeky Laughing Kookaburra, watching, waiting. The dappled morning light celebrates and complements the vibrant energy of these birds. The painting is detailed yet has a softness due to its composition and setting. My 12 years of still life training was instrumental in controlling the lighting and depth of field; ensuring a harmonious balanced composition.
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Medal of Excellence |
Bruce Lawes
"Three's Company" (Oil)
“Without the individual and corporate efforts today, we may not be able to preserve and enjoy all we cherish with our children tomorrow”.
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Medal of Excellence |
Sarah McComb-Turbitt
"The Connoisseur" (Acrylic)
Cedar Waxwings depend on the abundance of native berry-producing shrubs and trees. Among the most important fruit-dispersing birds in North America, the loss of their primary food source to development, invasive species, and landscape simplification diminishes the rich foraging world they depend upon. Planting native berry-producing species is one of the most meaningful actions anyone can take to support them and many other bird species. Reference photography for inspiration was kindly provided by Nigel Eves.
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Medal of Excellence |
Natalie Parker
"Watching You, Watching Me" (Acrylic)
I have wanted to paint one of these spectacular birds for many years. Part of the reason for holding off on tackling this magnificent parrot is that I knew it would take more time, patience and concentration than anything else I have painted in my artistic journey to date. I was determined to make sure every feather was painted exactly where is was meant to be, not leaning on "artistic interpretation" but rather focusing on "scientific correctness".
Another reason for wanting to paint this magnificent cockatoo species is to share awareness of their critically endangered status in NSW, Australia. They face threats of habitat loss and degradation, including the loss of old-growth eucalyptus trees that are critical for nesting hollows.
My vision for this painting is to raise awareness for Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and to educate through art..... to start a conversation about embracing the beauty of nature and habitat conservation, then in turn celebrating it!
My hope is that 'Watching You, Watching Me', evokes feelings of strength, resilience, determination and beauty in a fragile world.
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Medal of Excellence |
Gordon Pembridge 
"Antithesis" (Oil)
The comforting warm summer sea breeze surrounded by the sweet scents of busy honey bees, Manuka shrubs and the salty smells of costal margins. The Pohutukawa trees are in full bloom, lending depth to this dreamy summer scene. The diverse subtleties of the crimson colours in the seaside summer light are warming to the soul. Here lives the indomitable and beautiful Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus). I am always inspired by these beautiful birds on my explorations of costal areas here in New Zealand. Woven into this image are the tensions that we don’t always see here in nature. This painting is about survival. The kingfishers are perched in the hot sun for lengthy times keeping a keen eye on the sand flats below for prey to catch. There are equal and opposite forces, for every action there is a reaction. The history of this area would be so different if the planned car park had been built in years past. Thank fully the land was turned into a reserve where these beautiful birds can thrive. My voice from the wilderness I have rendered here in oils. I hope this urges you to pause and observe the beauty here for a moment. The natural world is precious to us all including the little Kingfishers in this painting.
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Pollyanna Pickering Award |
Mark Hobson
"Bull Elephant: Kicking Up the Dust" (Acrylic)
A close call with a charging Bull Elephant in Meru National Park in Kenya was the inspiration for this painting. I was in a vehicle with several other visitors. We had stopped and were preparing to leave the truck to take photos of Elsa’s Kopje (rock formation) on Mughwango Hill, where the story of Born Free had its origins. The engine had just been shut off when without warning the brush erupted in a loud trumpeting and a very upset massive elephant burst onto the dirt road and charged us. He came within five feet of the front radiator, backed up then charged again. On the third charge the driver got into reverse gear and we hastily backed up hitting an Acacia tree and sending the passengers sprawling inside the vehicle. After three successive charges the elephant backed off, still trumpeting, and kicking up a cloud of dust. It turned out we had accidentally disturbed a mating pair. Having seen a damaged Volkswagen van in Nairobi with two large tusk holes through the side door I felt we got off rather lucky. I painted this scene in watercolour shortly after the incident but it has stuck in my mind for years and finally decided to recreate the drama with a giant Baobab tree as the backdrop to the scene.
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John Seerey-Lester Award |
Eleazar Saenz 
"Iluminado" (Oil)
Strength, beauty, and natural flexibility. The Tiger moves nimbly, master of itself. At the top of its food chain, an enlightened creature, a darling of the Universe, until it encounters its only predator: humankind.
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Best Landscape Award |
Mark Hobson
"Crystal Cove: After the Rain" (Acrylic)
Crystal Cove lies at the scenic southern end of Tin Wis Beach near Načiks (Tofino), British Columbia. Having painted there en plein air on several occasions, I was inspired to create this larger studio work, spanning more than five feet in width. The painting began with the memory of a late afternoon in March, when a glowing bank of fog briefly illuminated the shoreline before disappearing within minutes. A recent downpour had carved a sweeping channel through the sand, providing a natural lead that draws the viewer’s eye toward the luminous horizon. Although the light was fleeting, the impression it left was lasting enough to inspire this painting.
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Western Art Collector Magazine Award Winner |
Emily Lozeron
"Here Comes The Sun" (Oil)
Spring is my favourite season. After a long winter, the returning warmth of the sun brings renewed life to the landscape. Pussy willows emerge, chickadees fill the air with song, and even humble dandelions add colour and whimsy as their seeds drift on the breeze. Inspired by the optimism of the song "Here Comes the Sun", this painting celebrates the joy, renewal, and quiet beauty that accompany the arrival of spring.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Brett Blumenthal
"Last Light" (Watercolor)
In Last Light, an African wild dog stands suspended in the fading glow of day, its form emerging and receding within a shifting atmosphere. The loosened edges and dissolving lower body echo the precarious reality of the species itself—present, yet increasingly at risk of disappearing.
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most endangered carnivores, with populations declining due to habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and disease. As their range diminishes, so too do opportunities for coexistence.
This work reflects that tension between resilience and vulnerability, capturing a moment that feels both grounded and fleeting—like the species it represents.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Brett Blumenthal
"Deep Kinship" (Watercolor)
A pod of orcas travels together, reflecting the tight family structures that define this species. Orcas live in matrilineal groups and depend on shared knowledge—passed down across generations—for hunting, communication, and survival.
Today, those systems are under pressure. Noise pollution, declining prey, and habitat disruption are making it harder for orcas to navigate, feed, and maintain these social bonds.
Deep Kinship highlights both their connection and their vulnerability—pointing to the need for stronger protections of marine ecosystems, prey populations, and the acoustic environments these animals rely on.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Michael Dumas
"Standing Stones" (Oil)
In the quiet of the forest lies the remains of an old stone fenceline. Seasons of freeze and thaw have toppled some of it, leaving an irregular arrangement still standing. Moss and fallen leaves have integrated themselves into the structure, a tribute to the passing of time. A gray fox momentarily interrupts the stillness, pausing atop one of the large foundation stones. It quickly moves on, disappearing as if it was never there.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Michael Dumas
"Vigilance" (Colored pencil)
From its rocky advantage point, little goes unnoticed in the world of this big cat. I've focused on the animal's facial expression, and those large powerful paws, in order to create an alert and watchful attitude as well as the physical means to act, and act swiftly if necessary.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Martin Gates
"" Summer Song "" (Wood)
Hand carved from one piece of Holly. A hummingbird on trumpet flowers.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Martin Gates
"Capturing the Moon" (Wood)
Hand carved Owl on the Moon out of one piece of Holly wood. Holly carves beautifully and can take very fine detail. I also love the color , when finished it has the look of bone or ivory.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Bruce Lawes
"Step by Step" (Oil)
“Without the individual and corporate efforts today, we may not be able to preserve and enjoy all we cherish with our children tomorrow”.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Monika Loevenmark
"Arctic Patrol" (Oil)
Iceland gulls guide the way through the Arctic morning light as the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent advances steadily through the sea ice. Together, the birds and vessel evoke both the beauty and resilience of Canada’s northern waters.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Sarah McComb-Turbitt
"Sneak Peep" (Acrylic)
Among North America’s smallest frogs, the Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is scarcely larger than a thumbnail, yet its voice is one of the loudest heralds of spring. Although rarely seen, its unmistakable chorus fills wetlands and woodland edges each April, announcing winter’s end. This painting celebrates a species that is more often heard than observed, reminding us of the remarkable wildlife hidden within familiar landscapes. Reference photography was generously provided by Ryan Wolfe.
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Honorable Mention Award Winner |
Ellen Woodbury
"The Sloth and the Hummmingbird: A Friendship of Opposites" (Stone)
The Rufous Hummingbird and the Three-toed Sloth are opposites in many ways. One migrates 3,000 miles from Central America to Alaska and back again. The other climbs down his tree in Central America to relieve himself one time per week. The Rufous has the highest metabolism of any animal and must eat 10,000 calories per day to avoid starving. The Sloth has very low metabolism and takes up to two weeks to digest a meal. These two friends find delight in their differences and joy in understanding one another's point of view. May this be a metaphor for our time.
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