WHAT: An art show fundraiser for Appalachian Wildlife Refuge
WHEN: Sunday, June 11, 1-5 p.m.
WHERE: The Boathouse at the Smoky Park Supper Club
WHY: Art lovers and animal enthusiasts alike will have the chance to make a difference in the care of injured animals by attending the Wild Art art show and fundraiser. Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is collaborating with the Saints of Paint, a group of 14 local artists who use their paintings to help nonprofits.
The show hopes to raise $15,000 to complete a new Wildlife Urgent Care facility, said Kimberly Brewster, the network’s co-founder. “We have a donated building in Candler that we are repairing and renovating, and these funds are for additional needs we did not anticipate,” Brewster explained. “It will be like a wildlife ER — we’ll coordinate rescue and wildlife volunteers to go out into the community to help when there are injured or orphaned wild animals that are found. They’ll be brought to the center to receive triage and get stabilized, and then they’ll get transported to either a home-based rehabber or a facility for long-term care.”
The afternoon event will feature art demonstrations by Saints of Paint artists, art sales, face painting, a raffle drawing that includes four special-edition paintings, a chance to meet “animal ambassadors,” live music and a cash bar.
The event comes soon after Appalachian Wild received worldwide attention received after a social media post explained the need for used mascara wands to clean baby animals, Brewster said. Visitors to the Wild Art show are encouraged to bring mascara wands to donate.
Wild Art will take place at Smoky Park Supper Club from 1-5 p.m., June 11. The event is free to the public, but raffle tickets, paintings and drinks will be for sale. For more information, contact info@appalachianwild.org.
