Exhibit – “Living Endemic Birds of Hawai‘i”

“Living Endemic Birds of Hawai‘i” by famed Hawaiian wildlife artist Marian Berger is back on exhibit, for one week only, from February 21- February 27, 2012 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit is back on display by popular demand.

Black-Necked Stilt

The exhibit features reproductive prints of the original watercolor paintings representing 37 species of birds found only in Hawai‘i. The vision of this extraordinary project has been to produce a limited edition masterpiece in the style of John James Audubon as a means of supporting critical work to ensure the survival of Hawai‘i’s endemic birds. Each image is printed in double elephant folio size (26″ x 39.5″), after Audubon’s great work on the Birds of North America, with all individual birds painted life-size.

The project, that resulted in the original exhibit, in January of 2011, is a unique collaboration between the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Discipline, and private landowners. The Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program (HEBCP) comprises two captive breeding facilities, one at Keauhou Ranch in Volcano on the Big Island, and the other in Makawao on Maui, and works at a number of field sites around Hawaii. Using intensive propagation and release techniques, the HEBCP aims to re-establish self-sustaining populations of critically endangered birds or augment existing ones. More than 1,000 chicks of many different Hawaiian species have been successfully raised by the HEBCP since 1993.

Pueo

“The exhibit in early 2011, was quite successful in raising both awareness and funds, for the amazing conservation work being done right here in Hawai‘i,” states gallery manager Emily Catey.  ” Volcano Art Center is happy to display the images again to continue to raise awareness for this effort.”

The exhibit, opening February 21, 2012, features giclee reproductions priced individually, compared to the first exhibit where the original watercolor paintings sold only as a complete set.

Don’t miss this opportunity to view the partial collection, of the “Living Endemic Birds of Hawai‘i by Marian Berger. Call (808) 967-7565 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.