Renowned wildlife artist helps local charities

An exhibition of international wildlife artist Michael Jackson's new collection, 'Wonderful World', is going to support two local registered charities – The Coalition for the Protection of Children (CPC) and the Bermuda Society of Arts – through four events set to take place over three weeks in May and June.

The exhibition is the brainchild of CPC chairman David Ezekiel, who felt the exhibition would be the perfect occasion to raise money for the charity, and also give Bermuda's art lovers an opportunity to view and purchase Mr. Jackson's "remarkable work."

"Many years ago, I had the good fortune of attending one of Michael's exhibitions in London. He was then an up-and-coming English artist, and things just developed from there," he said.

As executive director of the Bermuda Society of Arts, which is facing year-end eviction from its City Hall gallery by the Corporation of Hamilton, Victoria Evans-Cracknell said she "immediately recognised the artist's incredible artistic talent and warm personality", and sought to expand on Mr. Ezekiel's original concept.

"I wanted Bermudians to experience seeing a large number of his paintings in a gallery setting. Michael is very excited to be showing here at the BSoA, this being his largest North American exhibition with 50 pieces being shown."

For his part, Mr. Jackson said he was "really enjoying working with David, Sheelagh, Fran (Tucker) and Victoria on what I hope will be an exhibition to remember. I am looking forward to help raising much needed funds for these worthy charities".

In addition making his paintings available for exhibition in Bermuda, the artist has generously donated two pieces to the named charities for public auction, with all commission on the sales being shared equally between the CPC and BSoA.

The 'Wonderful World' schedule of events is as follows:

May 15: Private champagne reception at BSoA Galleries, City Hall.

May 16: Gala dinner at Tucker's Point Club (Tickets $250 per person).

May 17: Public champagne reception at BSoA Galleries, City Hall.

May 19-June 4: Opening of 'Wonderful World' exhibition at BSoA gallery, City Hall .

For further information and/or tickets to these events, please e-mail Sheelagh Cooper at cpc@ibl.bm

Mr. Jackson has been working on his 'Wonderful World' art collection for the past 18 months, and describes it as "an eclectic mix of paintings that have been inspired by my travels over the last years. It includes a mix of portraiture, wildlife and some landscape paintings, all of which are oil on canvas".

Widely regarded as one of the world's top wildlife artists, his ability to combine accuracy with stunning compositions make his subjects really come alive.

Born in 1961 in northwest England and educated at a Preston High School, Mr. Jackson regularly won awards for his art as a schoolboy. A keen ornithologist as a child, he had his own bird sanctuary taking in waifs and strays and nurturing them back to health, later to be released to the wild. This early devotion to wildlife led him to be both environmentally aware, and a keen conservationist.

His passion for nature and art ultimately led him to Blackpool College where he studied Natural History Illustration. The first person to achieve 'distinction', he was also named 'Student of the Year' by the Rotary Club of Great Britain for work of exceptional quality and detail.

Post-college, Mr. Jackson became a full-time professional artist. In recent times he has had five sell-out exhibitions, and also achieved record prices at both Sotheby's and Christies. He was awarded 'Best in Show' by the Wildlife Art Society at their 1999/2000 exhibition.

He makes his home in France with his wife and son, but travels extensively in pursuit of reference material for his paintings. Coming face to face with nature is what makes him tick.

"Possibly one of the most important things for any artist is inspiration," he says. "I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively in pursuit of my references. Who can fail to be inspired when coming face to face with a mountain gorilla, or up close to tigers in the wild? It is so important, as an artist, to get reference first hand, not just of the animals and birds that feature in my paintings, but also the native vegetation, landscapes, rocks, trees etc."

NDFB auditions for DanceBermuda 2008

The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda, in conjunction with the American Ballet Theatre, is holding auditions for DanceBermuda 2008 for experienced dancers aged eight to 22 at the Bermuda High School's Jessie Vesey Centre tomorrow. For further information and requisite pre-registration visit website www.dancebermuda.org or telephone 236-3319.