May 5, 2003 – Artists have celebrated nature from time immemorial. The artwork in the show opening Friday at Alexander's Café in Frenchtown puts that appreciation into a 21st century perspective, inviting viewers to "Celebrate the Work of The Nature Conservancy in the Virgin Islands and Eastern Caribbean!"
The work of three artists is showcased in the exhibition created to acknowledge the contributions The Nature Conservancy has made in the territory and the region toward protecting and preserving natural environments.
Collaborating with The Nature Conservancy, Andrea Marr-Poehl, Robbin Robertson and Donna Weaver created a total of 20 oil and acrylic paintings.
The three are long-time friends who were interested in using their artistic talents to make a positive statement on environmental preservation work in the Virgin Islands. They are donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their paintings to the conservancy.
All three will be on hand to discuss their work and what inspired it at the champagne reception opening the show on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. So will the local staff of The Nature Conservancy.
"This one is going to be really fun," Claire Ochoa, who coordinates and promotes the monthly Alexander's exhibitions, says of the reception and the show. "This has been a favorite project for me!"
The Nature Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth, by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Marr-Poehl, Robertson and Weaver's works "shed artistic light on the conservancy's work to preserve landscapes, protect marine life and protect endangered sea turtles," publicity states.
Some of the conservancy projects represented in the artists' work:
Robertson's "Magens Bay" celebrates the creation of the 319-acre Magens Bay Watershed Preserve.
Marr-Poehl's "Cool Fish" is a tribute to the Reef Fish Spawning Aggregation Identification Project.
Robertson's "Green Sea Turtle" acknowledges the Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program.
Weaver's "Fishing Boats in Frenchtown" honors the preservation of the fisheries industry through conservation.
The exhibition will hang at Alexander's through June 19. All of the works are available for purchase.
To see more of the images in the show, visit the St. John Gallery Web site. For more information about The Nature Conservancy, call contact Jennifer Amerling at 774-7633.
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