News.bytes Extra, issue 228

Carrizo on Canvas

On April 15, 2006 the Friends of the Carrizo hosted an art show with the San Luis Outdoor Painters Enterprise (SLOPE), featuring paintings of the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Almost 600 people attended the event at the historic Santa Margarita ranch.

The Friends of the Carrizo is a cooperating association with the BLM, and was established shortly after the Carrizo became a national monument in 2001. Their Vision is a Carrizo Plain National Monument that remains unique and preserved, providing an internationally-recognized model of cooperative resource conservation. Their Mission is to support the managing partners in the Education, Interpretation and Conservation of the unique resources of the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

The SLOPE is a group of professional artists committed to preserving the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life found in San Luis Obispo County. SLOPE create artworks which will be used to draw public attention to endangered natural communities and to generate funds to be used for the protection or purchase of endangered lands. SLOPE will donate a portion of the proceeds from the art show to the Friends of the Carrizo.

The show was officially opened with a prayer and blessing by the Bear Clan of the Northern Chumash.

Complementary wine donated by local vineyards and appetizers made by volunteers and donated by local businesses were served. Visitors not only attended to see the extraordinary art work, they also had the opportunity to reunite with others that have various ties to the Carrizo.

Those attending said the art work was extraordinary and captured the beauty of the Carrizo. The artists commented on the success of the show and agreed that it was one of their best. They were impressed with the amount of people and the history and interest that the visitors possessed about the Carrizo. Many people visiting the Carrizo the next day commented on how they enjoyed the event.

The organizers wished to thank all those that participated and donated to this event! The Friends will use the money donated to further the mission of the Carrizo.

For more information on the Friends of the Carrizo: www.carrizo.org

The San Luis Obispo Tribune ran a story with photos of seven of the paintings that were to appear at the event -- look for the "more photos" link:
To paint the unpaintable (San Luis Obispo Tribune, 4/9/06)

- April 2006

BLM California News.bytes, issue 228