On view starting September 24, is the long running and highly anticipated Society of Animal Artist’s Annual Exhibition and Tour returning for the 62nd edition. Attendees can expect to see a broad, diverse range of the animal kingdom by 125 SAA members, in both painting and sculpture, who strive to enlighten and address issues surrounding how we care for non-human animals and their habitats. While some artists portray global concerns, others simply illuminate the beautiful characteristics of a particular species. Suzie Seerey-Lester, Let’s Dance, acrylic on panel, 12 x 24”

Wes Siegrist, the SAA executive director, refers to the organizations official mission statement for the overall purpose of the upcoming exhibition: “The Society of Animal Artists (SAA), founded in 1960, is devoted to promoting excellence in the artistic portrayal of the creatures sharing our planet, and to the education of the public through art exhibitions, informative seminars, lectures, and teaching demonstrations…”Sadao Naito, I loooove Playing Paper Bag!, oil, 21 x 18”

Jacque Giuffre, Edward, cast bronze on steel base, 6 x 9 x 5”

This year, the exhibition will be hosted at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park and artworks will hang at the Turtle Bay Museum, with events from October 7 to 8. Besides the artists, live animals will be on display at the park for the public to interact with. “We strive to have the annual exhibition in different locations each year,” Siegrist says. “We want to reach as much as the population as we can. We welcome all of our members to the exhibition (returning and emerging), not just the exhibiting artists, and ask for volunteers that will do demonstrations. This is usually a bronze pouring or scratchboard techniques. The public can come out and see how we interact.”Suzie Seerey-Lester, First Light-Cougar, oil, 20 x 16”

Heather Soos, Nature’s Quid Pro Quo, scratchboard and colored ink, 14 x 18”

Suzie Seerey-Lester will bring to the show a gorgeous display of bird imagery and large cats. “Living in Florida provides me with a wealth of wonderful reference material, especially birds,” Seerey-Lester explains. “We have ibis—white and glossy walking on the front lawn. Great white egrets and great blue herons are everywhere. Ospreys build their nests on lamp posts in shopping centers and bridges everywhere. My favorite are the rosette spoonbills and wood storks. The spoonbills because of their brilliant color—yes, they really are very pink! Wood Storks have a face only a mother could love, but I love painting the big white birds with black wing tips and long legs. Large cats [also] fascinate me, especially if I can achieve the play of light surrounding them in their natural habitat.”Jamie Cassaboon, Common Elder #1, graphite on paper, 22 x 39”

Heather Soos, The Fish Hawk, acrylic on hardbord, 24 x 30”

More bird’s will also be depicted in Jamie Cassaboon’s work. “I am inspired first by the natural world, and birds specifically, for their variety: shapes, colors and textures, as well as habitats and behaviors,” Cassaboon shares. “[This includes] hundreds of eiders in creches, rafts or solitary, floating calmly alone in miles of open turbulent sea. Some birds disappear below the surface of the water, hidden from view and return with unseen meals while others wade or perch, calm and patient, then dive suddenly and ensnare prey. Many are muted or pale—greys and buffs—while others are bright and vibrant—pinks and oranges. Observation and exhilaration create connection and understanding.”Jamie Cassaboon, Merlin #1, graphite on paper, 24 x 18½”

Suzie Seerey-Lester, Against the Wind-Spoonbills, acrylic on panel, 12 x 23”

Besides wildlife, the exhibition will also have scenes involving domestic animals and even insects, like in the work of Heather Soos piece Nature’s Quid Pro Quo., of a bee and a rose. “My intention in creating a piece of wildlife art is to capture the imagination of the viewer, giving them a virtual experience of nature that is, at the same time, aesthetically pleasing,” Soos says. “To do this, I start with an interesting composition and complimentary lighting and color scheme. When painting, I am focused on creating a 3D appearance, working steadily toward the fine detail I use to describe the surface realism of feathers, moss or water. I spend a lot of time executing the piece, attempting to portray the unique beauty and character of my subject and to create a sense of ‘virtual reality’ with paint (or other medium) that will be just as effective seen up close as it is from a distance.”Exterior of the Turtle Bay Museum.Besides the exhibition, the opening weekend includes additional happenings like an award ceremony, where awards of excellence are handed out for a variety of categories. Following the event, 60 works will be selected by a panel of jurors to then travel to other art institutions to further promote SAA’s mission. Please visit the Society of Animal Artists website for ticket prices and additional information. —

Society of Animal Artists 62nd Annual Exhibition and Tour
September 24-January 1, 2023, Opening weekend events: Oct. 7-8
Turtle Bay Exploration Park, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding, CA 96003
(423) 799-0925, www.societyofanimalartists.com 

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