The Forbes Galleries and Jan Martin McGuire Collaborate to Support AWF and Conservation

As Spring arrives in New York City, the walls at the Forbes Galleries on Fifth Avenue are in full bloom, adorned with the vibrant colors and the awe-inspiring beauty of Africa and its wildlife.

Conceived by Christopher Forbes, A Painting Safari -- Scenes from the African Wild, an exhibition of original acrylic paintings by artist Jan Martin McGuire, opened March 21 and will be available for public viewing through May 3.

On March 27, the exhibition was the setting of a special reception hosted by Mr. Forbes and attended by Ms. McGuire and other honored guests, including AWF supporters, friends of the Forbes Galleries, and collectors of Jan's work.

Thirty original paintings were on display, ranging in subject matter from Sacred and the King -- an extraordinary piece depicting a young male lion startling a flock of sacred ibises into flight -- to Walk on the Wild Side -- a whimsical painting of an African jacana sliding off the flanks of a Nile hippo emerging from a water lettuce--laden pool.

Throughout the evening, the artwork was for sale and AWF was the beneficiary of a percentage of the sales. By evening's end, AWF netted $10,300 that will be used in support of important conservation initiatives in Africa. A percentage of any additional paintings sold during the exhibition will go to support AWF's work in Africa.

AWF is extremely grateful to Jan Martin McGuire for her willingness to utilize her artistic talent in support of critical conservation efforts, and we're indebted to Christopher Forbes and the Forbes Galleries for their efforts on our behalf.

For more information about the exhibition, contact Kate Clinton, Senior Development Officer, African Wildlife Foundation, 202-939-3348 or visit the Forbes Galleries web site.