The Fish Owl Art Project
November 5 -12th, 2018
Hokkaido, Japan
「根釧を描く」
アートでシマフクロウ応援プロジェクト
～地域の自然のゆたかさを知り、森・川・湿原・海のつながりをかんがえよう～
The Fish-owls need forests, and we need forests.
For now, and for the generations after us.
About
In the last 30 years, the population of the Blakiston's fish-owl has increased from 70 to 165 through great efforts by the government and private-sectors. It is a delightful result, but conversely, a serious problems has occurred. Young owls are having difficulty to find their own territories, because there are only limited good forests in Hokkaido, and most small rivers they need for catching fish cannot provide them enough to live.
Another big problem is that some of nature guides and tourists are disturbing their lives. There is no regulation to control their behaviors in Japan. We get together to share and appeal what the owl needs now, through this art project: creating green corridors, and educating people. Eventually, it will help the lives of humans.
For more information about conservation for the Fish-owl, please access to: https://fishowlaid.jp/en/
Project
This project is hosted by the NPO Fish Owl Aid and a team of volunteer artists who agreed with the project, from November 5 - 12th 2018. Artists are staying in the town of Hamanaka, and sketching of the nature of eastern Hokkaido. We are holding exciting workshops to learn about the ecosystem with visitors and local residents.
Workshop 01
"Paint Together"
-Artists and a local elementary school children will paint a big picture to learn the ecosystem about the local environment. The picture will exhibit at the Kiritappu Nature Center, and the Kiritappu Culture Center.
Workshop 02
"Watercolor Techniques Demonstration" for students of the art club of the Kiritappu Junior High School
Workshop 03
November 10 & 11: "Plein Air Sketching Workshops" -Sketching the beautiful sceneries & nature of Hamanaka with artists, 9:30am-2:00pm. Fee: 8500JPY for one day, 15000 JPY for two days /per adult, 4500 JPY for one day, 7500 JPY for two days /per student, 500 JPY for one day, 800 JPY for two days /per child (6-12 y.o.), box lunch included.
Exhibition
November 7-12th | "Daily Update Sketches Exhibition" at the Kiritappu Wetland Center -Artists will exhibit their sketches day by day. Participants of the Workshop 03 can join in.
*Our sketches, artworks, and a project report will show up on web exhibition after the tour.
Talk Event
November 11th | Slide Talks : 1:30~2:30pm"Conserving the Fish Owl" by the FIsh Owl Aid / 2:40~3:15pm"Wildlife and the Nature of Our Countries" by the artists
Get Involved
1. Participate in Workshop 3. If you interested in joining to the workshop, please contact us for the details by email: fishowlproject@gmail.com . We will send you more details about the workshop, including information for accommodations.
2. Donate to the Project: A team of artists, recorders, and translators are volunteering for this project. We would very appreciate your support to the project. Your money goes to supporting the artists, and conservation for the Fish-owls. Click the Donate Now button below, choose "Want-to-protect donation" course on the Fish Owl Aid website. You can support us from US$10.
We would like to raise 7,000 dollars.
This money will be paid for following items.
・Travel expenses for the artists from overseas to Kushiro
・Car rental
・Accommodation expenses (we are sharing a Airbnb guest house)
・Rewards to experts (video making, photography)
Artists
Nature Artist/Illustrator AFC signature member Founder/Owner of Japan Nature Journal Club The leader of the artists team for the Fish Owl Art Project.
Artist/Bird & Botanical Illustrator Largely self-taught and has been painting in watercolour for more than 20 years.
Bird Artist/Illustrator AFC signature member Public collection: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
Artist/Illustrator Birdwatch Artist of the Year Don Eckelberry Scholarship Award Langford Press Field Sketches Award
Artist/Illustrator Prize Premios provinciades Diputación de Málaga Prize RedLife “10 ideas for save the Nature”. Fundación Caja Rural – Huelva
