Every year the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition reminds us of the beauty of wildlife art, as well as the immense importance of conservation. The three-day event is one of the longest running of its kind, connecting visitors with wildlife and nature through fine art, conservation education and sporting demonstrations. Artists, exhibitors and experts in wildlife and nature art from across the country flock to Charleston, South Carolina.
Mark Kelvin Horton, Onward, oil on canvas, 16 x 48”
“Collectors can always expect extraordinary original works from SEWE artists. In any given year, it may be a singular piece or a full body of work, but there is always an artist who surprises me [with] work that you know took all of his or her talent and emotion,” says SEWE executive director John Powell. Dozens of talented artists have made their way into this year’s exposition, including Mitch Baird, Patricia Pepon, Richard Clifton, Walter Matia, Vickie McMillan-Hayes, Jim Bortz, Eleanor Parker, Carrie Penley, Grant Hacking and Kathleen Dunphy, new to SEWE this year, along with many others.
This year’s featured artist is Mark Kelvin Horton, whose painting Onward has been selected as the featured painting and subject of the official SEWE 2021 poster. “This has been an interesting and trying time for us all over the last several months...But one thing I feel certain of is that we have not and will never give up...This is the message and feeling that I seek to convey in the featured painting, Onward...Even though this piece has an element of turbulent skies, there is a hopefulness and brightness that, along with the egret taking flight, portrays what I believe we all will have for the coming days.”
Julie Jeppsen, Teton Majesty, oil on canvas, 30 x 40”
Jason Tako, the 2020 featured artist, brings to this year’s event a combination of wildlife, landscape and historical Native American work in oil paintings and charcoal drawings. “I’m very excited about SEWE this year!” he says. “Covid and the lockdowns have given people a hunger for beauty and excitement, and SEWE always provides both.”
Charleston-based painter Hilarie Lambert brings all new works to the 2021 exposition from her recent travels out West, with paintings of creatures like bison, horses and waterfowl. “They do an amazing job putting [SEWE] on, and despite Covid they are making a huge effort to provide great art safely.”
John Banovich, The Blue Darter (Cooper’s Hawk and Bobwhite Quail), oil on Belgian linen, 16 x 18”
Ezra Tucker, Out Foxed, acrylic on board, 15 x 40”
Powell delves into a few of the changes that have been made to the upcoming event due to the pandemic, like displaying as much of the artwork as possible online. “The relationship between the artist and the collector is crucial to the success of SEWE...Certainly a bright spot in the year for our team is the launch of our new website [this past] December, with a robust online gallery that is clean and easy to navigate. We will continue to add to this portfolio as we move into 2021 and we are very pleased with our ability to showcase fine art online.” For those who cannot attend the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in person, Powell says there are a number of ways to still get involved, whether it be through donations, the 2021 SEWE Art Book, or the Host an Artist program, which assists globetrotting artists with travel and shipping expenses.
The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will be held from February 12 to 14 at the Charleston Marriott, Charleston Vistor Center and Brittlebank Park. —
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
February 12-14, 2021
• Private Preview Hour, Charleston Marriott, Feb. 13, 9-10 a.m.
• SEWE Soiree, Charleston Visitor Center, Feb. 13, 7-11 p.m.
• Lowcountry Social, Brittlebank Park, Feb. 13, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
• Private Preview Hour, Charleston Marriott, Feb. 14, 9-10 a.m.
Various locations throughout Charleston, SC
www.sewe.com, (843) 723-1748
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