SAN DIEGO---July 2005. The San Diego Natural History Museum will host the first annual Wildlife Art Exhibition from August 12, 2005, through January 1, 2006. Hundreds of nationally and internationally recognized local artists are expected to participate in the exhibition, the first of its size west of the Mississippi. All artwork will be wildlife themed, and the media and style is incredibly diverse: everything from abstract sculpture to vivid wildlife portraiture is represented.

Gamini Ratnavira www.gaminiratavira.com, a world-renowned wildlife artist from Fallbrook, CA, is the guest curator for this exhibition. "Gamini Ratnavira is one of the most talented wildlife artists I have known. He is a passionate conservationist who shares his love of life and nature through his painting," says Dr. Michael Hager, executive director of the Museum.

Featured artists include Ken Goldman www.goldmanfineart.com, Gary Johnson www.grjstudio.com, Lucy Wang www.lucywang.com.com, Lee Kromschroeder www.leekromschroeder.com, Celou Bonnet www.celoubonnet.com and Van Moch Nyugen www.sdvag.net/N/VanMochNslide.htm.

Selected local artists have been invited to submit work for the first phase of the exhibition. The works of these artists will be on display in the second-floor gallery from August 12, 2005 through January 1, 2006. The second phase of the exhibition extends from October 1, 2005, through January 1, 2006, when the fourth-floor balcony of the Museum will be open to the public to view a curated, regional show. All art on the fourth floor is for sale.

Two "Wild Weekends of Art" will punctuate the exhibition. On October 1-2 and November 26-27, invited artists from around the country will fill the Museum's Atrium with artwork for sale.

The Wildlife Art Exhibition is a benefit for the Museum and for the Museum Artists Foundation , a fundraising arm for the arts community. Dennis Paul Batt, an artist featured in the exhibition and the spokesperson for MAF, exclaims, "This is an incredible, pivotal opportunity for San Diego artists. As an artist myself, I believe that the Museum is the best venue for wildlife art in the world because of its mission, the location, and the physical building."

For more information about the Wildlife Art Exhibition. The San Diego Natural History Museum is "your nature connection" in beautiful Balboa Park. Open daily from 10 AM-5 PM, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission includes all exhibitions and films and is $9 for nonmembers, $6 for students, seniors, and military, $5 for children 3-17, and always free for members. Phone: 619.232.3821.

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