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Great Horse Art As Part Of Wild Things Art Show
Tales From The Trails By Ellen Rosenberg
Ellen Rosenberg
February 24, 2012
A few Sundays ago, while most of the country settled down in front of big-screen TVs ready to devour pizza and snacks and cheer their favorite team on to victory in the Super Bowl, a group of people gathered at a private home and artist’s studio in Loxahatchee Groves to look at, and perhaps purchase, art and, coincidentally, help the environment. The Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Loxahatchee, was having its sixth annual Wild Things Art Show fundraiser.
This group has a 30-acre wildlife preserve where members help wildlife from all over the world. Their work stretches from Africa to Brazil and the eastern Caribbean, and their programs help black rhinos, wildebeest, giant sables, Dominica parrots, red-browed Amazon parrots and Bahama parrots.
Well, that’s all very nice, I can hear you saying, but what has this got to do with horses? Quite a few of the artists who displayed their works at the fundraiser brought along equestrian-themed pieces! This year’s participants included jewelers, sculptors, photographers and painters in a variety of media. The event took place at Gisela Pferdekamper’s studio on Collecting Canal Road, and some of her “round-bottomed” horse canvases were included in the show.
“We’re very thrilled with this year’s event,” said Karen McGovern, coordinator and curator with the RSCF. “Everyone has a great time, and the artists donate 25 percent of the proceeds of any sales to the conservatory. We’re especially pleased that best-selling author Tami Hoag [is] our special guest.”
On Sunday, Feb. 5, well-heeled patrons mingled during an evening reception and showing. Additional showings were held the following Monday and Tuesday. The excitement level was high. Platters of snacks and glasses of beverages circulated. Volunteers from the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary walked around with small animals. A body-painted woman displayed her, um, canvas. There was a good buzz.
Patricia Powers was one of the artists. She lives in New York City and visits Wellington for two months each year. She paints all sorts of equestrian art, everything from polo to dressage.
“I’ve ridden forever,” she said. “I’ve been involved in dressage and jumping. I like helping out animal welfare organizations. This is a good match for me. I really believe in what the conservatory’s doing. It touches your heart. I’m delighted with tonight’s turnout. Everyone here could be home eating chicken wings and watching the game. Instead, they’re here, supporting a great cause.”
Her paintings were impressive, large-scale oils of horses, along with a few smaller paintings. Patricia loves working big; most of her canvases depict life-size, or larger, horses.
Jackie Harris was another participating artist with local equestrian ties.
“I’m originally from North Carolina,” she said. “I come to Wellington to train, ride and show my two Warmbloods. For me, art came before riding, then the riding took over. I’m not that prolific, and like to keep my pottery more as a hobby than as a business, but I love doing hand-built horses. I come to this event every year. I love helping species in trouble. So far, the show is going well. The studio is filling up nicely.”
Bettina Ayala was another equestrian artist. She and her husband play polo and own 30 Thoroughbreds.
“I love depicting horses,” she said. “They’re so beautiful. I love shading their muscles. They’re like moving sculptures. I try to capture their spirit. This fundraiser is a great event, and I’m happy to be a part of it again.”
The walls and tables were covered with the artists’ wares, many sporting an equestrian or animal theme. There were paintings in a variety of media and sizes, sculptures, jewelry and photography. The prices varied, and it was all great fun.
“This is great,” said Eva Sjodin, who works at the conservatory taking care of the animals. “We have a wonderful turnout tonight. The whole event is fabulous. I’m grateful to the artists and to our patrons. Every year, this event gets better and better.”
“I’m the celebrity du jour,” joked author Hoag, some of whose best-selling mysteries have an equestrian theme and are set in Wellington. “I’m glad to be here. It’s such a good cause. I never miss this event.”
“Everything’s going quite well,” McGovern added. “I did worry that some people might ditch us for the Super Bowl, but we’ve had wonderful sales. It’s exceeded my expectations.”
For more information about this event and the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, call Karen McGovern at (561) 790-5864 or visit www.rarespecies.org.
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