Calgary Artist Supports Conserving Wildlife - Summer 2009 Issue of Horses in Art Magazine

Calgary Artist Supports Conserving Wildlife

Winter Sky – Oil on Masonite by Michelle Grant.
Michelle Grant of Calgary, Alberta, joins some of Canada’s foremost nature artist by donating her artwork to help Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) raise much-needed funds for wetland conservation in 2009.

Grant has been selected to join DUC’s National Art Portfolio (NAP) program for her painting Winter Sky. Each year, hundreds of artists submit their artwork in hope of being chosen for the NAP. Those who are selected have their artwork made into high-quality prints and are given national exposure through DUC fundraising initiatives. The money raised through the NAP supports DUC’s on-the-ground wetland conservation work, scientific research and education programs.

“The National Art Portfolio is a unique program that not only promotes our country’s outstanding nature artists, but the growing need to conserve the natural areas that inspire their work. The NAP artists are an extremely talented group and their popular prints are powerful fundraising tools for DUC,” says Ken Bailey, DUC director of revenue and membership. “Michelle Grant’s painting, Winter Sky is a great addition to our 2009 NAP, and I’m sure it will be very successful in helping us raise the money we need to continue our wetland conservation work.”

Born and raised in Calgary, Grant centers her work around her love for horses and the western way of life. She is a versatile artist who excels in a variety of mediums and has gained international recognition for her talents. In Winter Sky, she captures a classic winter scene in the Alberta foothills as a beautiful horse stands with mane and tail blowing in the westerly winds. Through her work Grant hopes to raise public awareness and emphasize the need to conserve natural resources such as wetlands.

Ducks Unlimited Canada is a national, private, non-profit organization that has been committed to wetland conservation for over 70 years. DUC conserves wetlands and their associated habitat for waterfowl, other wildlife and people. For more than 25 years, artists have donated their artwork to help DUC conserve vanishing wetlands habitats. DUC’S spring event fundraising season is now underway, and people are encouraged to attend events to see artwork by Grant and other great Canadian artists. For information on upcoming DUC events in your community, visit www.duck.ca/event.

A high-quality image of Michelle Grant’s artwork is available. For more information, please contact Leigh Patterson, Corporate Media Relations Specialist, Ducks Unlimited Canada, 204-467-3306 or via email l_patterson@ducks.ca.

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