SCAPE Artists’ Central Coast Reflections Exhibit Benefits Explore Ecology

The Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment, SCAPE, held the opening of their fall fundraiser exhibition – titled Central Coast Reflections – at the Music Academy’s Lehmann Hall on Friday, September 13. 

There were over sixty artists contributing approximately 150 works of art focused on the natural environment of the Central Coast. Artists worked in their choice of mediums from oil on canvas to fine art photography showcasing their interpretations of the environment. 

The exhibition beneficiary is Explore Ecology’s Environmental Education Programs, receiving a generous 35% of the proceeds from the sale of the art. Many works were already sold when I arrived by 5:30 pm, and there is still art to purchase by heading over to the website. 

The juror for the exhibit was Tom Henderson, an artist for more than 25 years in our town. The winners are:

First Place: Rebecca August, oil on canvas, Lake Los Caneros

Second Place: Michelle Moloney, oil on canvas, At Naples

Third Place: Matt Lancaster, fine art photograph

Juror’s Choice: Nina Warner, oil on canvas, Devereux Slough

Beneficiary’s Choice: Kerri Hedden,oil on canvas, Hendry’s Beach

Karen Glancy was recognized by SCAPE President Kathy McGill for her work as the Exhibit’s Chair.

At the exhibition’s opening reception and awards ceremony were Explore Ecology’s

Board President Susan Tompkins, board members James Cunningham and Marianne D’Emidio Caston, Executive Director Lindsay Johnson, Development Director Morgan Coffey, and Marketing PR Director Jill Cloutier.

McGill welcomed and thanked the artists for their dedicated work and the guests for their support. She acknowledged Explore Ecology as the beneficiary of the exhibit and thanked Coffey and Cloutier for their collaboration in the marketing and promotion of the exhibit. 

Johnson shared, “This is amazing, and we are so happy to be here to partner with you, and be the beneficiaries of this, thank you very much. We are a local nonprofit and serve all Santa Barbara County with environmental education, water quality education, school garden program and art from scrap.” Coffey added, “We are so aligned with SCAPE. We are proud that we inspire children to be creative, be critical thinkers, and have a connection to the outdoor world. We reach at least 30,000 children per year at 66 schools in 16 school districts from Carpinteria to Lompoc, and have 35 school gardens, and have been an organization for almost 35 years. Thank you.”

The exhibit had many attendees and was a success. Be sure to visit the SCAPE website to find out more.

411: www.s-c-a-p-e.org

https://exploreecology.org