Saving the Bahamas Sea Turtles

This August The Doongalik Studios Art Gallery in the Marina Village on Paradise Island will be host a very significant type of art show. Along with presenting the work of 70 Bahamian artists, they will be helping the environment by bringing awareness to some of its most beautiful and unique creatures that inhabit our planets precious oceans. Below is the Press Release for the show.

for immediate release;

Doongalik Studios Art Gallery, located in Marina Village at Paradise Island has invited the 70 local artists it represents to participate in an environmentally conscious Art Exhibition entitled ‘SAVE THE TURTLES’ scheduled to coincide with the Miss Universe Pageant to be held this August on Paradise Island.  The Official Opening will be held on Friday, August 7 and the Show will be on exhibition until the end of August.

Manager of the Gallery, Pam Burnside stated, “Earlier this year Teleri Jones, one of our Abaco artists, suggested that we have a ‘Turtle Art Show’.  But as the worldwide effort to promote the conservation of turtles and the international ban on the killing of turtles is an ongoing topical issue we felt that we should expand the scope of the Exhibition since this would be an excellent opportunity to focus more attention to the plight of this endangered species around the world as well as in The Bahamas. What better way to increase public awareness and change than through the power of art especially during a time when the international press and a large group of visitors will be present on Paradise Island.”

Co-owner of the Gallery, Jackson Burnside added, “Not only is Art a vehicle for providing enjoyment but it should also provoke thought, questioning and change”.

The ‘SAVE THE TURTLES’ Art Exhibition has been enthusiastically sanctioned by the Bahamas Sea Turtle Conservation Group (which includes the Bahamas Humane Society, Advocates for Animal Rights, Animals Require Kindness, The Humane Society of Grand Bahama, Re-Earth, The Bahamas National Trust, Underwater Explorer’s Society Dolphin Experience, Grand Bahama Nature Tours, Earth Care Grand Bahama and The Nature Conservancy) who will provide educational literature on the topic for visitors to the Gallery to highlight The Bahamas’ efforts towards this cause. In addition the Gallery and the artists will donate 10% of all sales to assist the local turtle conservation groups with their public education efforts. You can learn more about this initiative by visiting their website at http://saveourseaturtles.com

Unable to attend the show, I was quite honored when hey chose to use one of my Surface Series images in their invitation, and promotional material. The image used is entitled "Montagu", which can be seen here.

You can help by signing the petition today, which can be viewed here

This petition along with accompanying letters, documents and articles, has now been submitted to The Bahamas Prime Minister, Minister of Fisheries, and Minister of Tourism.  Please continue to sign and forward the petition.  It will be left active and online until the Bahamian government action requested has been taken! As well it continues being updated. Check the last turtle rescue photo album at the end!

If you would like to learn more about protecting Sea turtles in the Bahamas, click here

And remember to support local art!