Artists for an oil-free coast
by Mark Hobson, Artist and Project Coordinator |
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Fifty artists – some of Canada’s most celebrated and many who are First Nations – are taking up paintbrushes and carving tools next month to portray Canada’s magnificent Pacific coast, one we believe is threatened by Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project. Over a two-week period in June, artists are being supported by coastal lodges, tour boat operators and businesses that have donated or discounted their services so we can access some of the most spectacular, yet remote locations on BC’s central and north coasts. Our goal is to bring attention to the dramatic beauty and fragile diversity at risk if tankers are permitted to ship tar sands oil through the coast’s narrow and rocky channels. Photos of the resulting art will be published later this fall in a stunning book. The original artworks, donated by the artists, will become part of a travelling art show that crosses the country to raise public awareness of this amazing coast and why it needs to be kept oil-free. The desire by artists to join the project has been overwhelming. We are united in the conclusion that a tanker grounding or collision would have an impact that far exceeds anything ever experienced on Canada’s shorelines. If this region becomes an oil corridor, a catastrophic spill is only a matter of time. Getting fifty artists into remote areas of BC’s coast is a challenging task, both logistically and financially. The process of publishing the book and touring the art will be equally demanding. To do this, Raincoast needs to raise a significant amount of money. We are half way to our fundraising goal as a result of the incredible generosity of a few special individuals. We need your help to make this – and our vision for an oil-free coast – a reality. Thank you for your support. For the coast, Mark |  50 ARTISTS TAKE UP BRUSHES FOR AN OIL-FREE COAST Canadian artists are joining forces to draw, paint, sculpt, carve and protect BC’s wild and beloved coast. |  CANADA’S RAINCOAST AT RISK: ART FOR AN OIL-FREE COAST The book, with a forward by David Suzuki and afterword by Wade Davis, depicts the art, place, people, wildlife and what’s at stake. It will be released in Nov 2012. | Raincoast Conservation Foundation PO Box 2429 Sidney, BC, Canada V8L 3Y3 Tel: (250) 655-1229
Web: raincoast.org Get more information about this exciting initiative atARTISTS FOR AN OIL FREE COAST About Raincoast 
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