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CELEBRATING THE EXHIBITION OF WILDLIFE ART AT GORDALE GARDEN CENTRE
In 2004 , when Marion Tuffrey , founder of the hugely successful National Exhibition of Wildlife Art held in Liverpool , announced that the event would be moving to a garden centre on the Wirral , many thought she was mad . However , 20 years , and thousands of art works finding new homes , her vision for relocating one of the most well received wildlife art shows in the North West to one of the most popular garden centres in Cheshire cannot be questioned ! The Exhibition of Wildlife Art ( EWA ), as it is now called , and Gordale Garden Centre collaborate annually in July for a show which has become a feature of the summer for artists and visitors alike .
The exhibition started when she realised there was a lack of events for nature inspired art and was confident that a carefully curated exhibition of stunning wildlife art would be a success . The bar was set high from the start and quickly attracted wildlife artists from across the UK looking for an exhibition dedicated to their genre . Year on year the show has grown in popularity and ambition , raising funds for conservation and engaging visitors with the fascinating world of wildlife art . Thousands have visited the show over the years with only one show being cancelled , during the 2020 covid pandemic , when it was run online instead . Its fame has spread and it now hosts artists from across the world .
Wildlife artists are passionate about their subject , often spending hours sketching , photographing and studying animal and bird behaviour , and a popular aspect of the EWA show is the opportunity to watch and talk to artists demonstrating their
skills . Some work exclusively outside , enduring the challenges of the weather to capture a moment in the story of a bird , animal or place . Others combine observing wildlife with painstaking hours in the studio creating a painting or sculpture . Many are keen bird watchers , conservationists , environmentalists , illustrators , have degrees in zoology and support projects protecting wildlife habitats . All contribute to fund raising for threatened species , an often unknown aspect to their work . It is safe to say that when you buy a piece of wildlife art you also buy all this dedication , love , fury , perseverance , patience and passion .
EWA ' s success is largely down to Marion Tuffrey ' s vision for this show . She has never wavered from her belief that a standard for quality should be set for all who submit work for inclusion and , as a result , the exhibition is respected by artists and buyers alike and definitely has a wow factor ! Of course , a great show cannot happen without a great venue and Gordale Garden Centre has certainly proved to be just that . Attracting many thousands of visitors each year , and , set in beautifully landscaped grounds , it is a perfect location for nature inspired art . As the exhibition and online gallery opens , buyers rush to snap up pieces that have caught their eye with the EWA machine swinging into action . It is a lively exciting time with some buyers walking home with a painting in one hand and a tray of geraniums in the other .
The Exhibition Wildlife Art and Online Gallery is being held at Gordale Garden Centre between Friday 29th and 31st July 2022 . Admission is free .
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