‘Over Land and Sea‘ opens on March 21, 2024 at the Aiken Center for the Arts in Aiken, SC. The exhibition features internationally acclaimed painters and sculptors working in the genre of animal art. Many of the artists are members of The Society of Animal Artists (SAA). President of SAA, Renee Bemis, addressed the members by saying, “As animal artists, we share a deep connection to Mother Earth – and we express our appreciation and concern for our planet through our art. In doing so, the public is made aware of just how important the animal kingdom is to our human spirit. Be inventive, inspired and courageous in your art, for you are the voice of the animals.”

Exhibiting artists are Joy K. Beckner, FNSS; Jeff Birchill, NSS; Beatrice Bork, Carel Brest van Kempen, Jamie Cassaboon, Lori Dunn, Martin Gates, FNSS; Christine Knapp, Judy Lalingo, Jan Mcallaster Stommes, Walter Matia, FNSS; Carrie Nygren, Patricia Pepin, Anne Peyton, John Plishka, Chris Wilson and Sherrie York. The exhibition runs through April 30, 2024.

Robin R. Salmon, NSS Board Member and Brookgreen Gardens, VP of Art and Historical Collections and Curator of Sculpture, will give a lecture on Friday, March 22 at 1 pm. The lecture will present an overview of important artworks and prominent sculptors of wild and domestic animals from the mid-1800s to the present.

‘Reef Explorer’ by Jeff Birchill and ‘Cozy’ by Joy K. Beckner.