Art meets advocacy

When Watson was working on what would be his final book, Mercy in Masquerade, he researched the ongoing elephant crisis in Africa and discovered that, if the current number of four elephants killed each hour continues, the African elephant could soon be just a distant memory.

Wanting to do something, but knowing that trying to make even a small dent in such a massive problem can quickly overwhelm two people, the Watsons thought outside the box.

“We had met such an incredible group of artists in Vancouver … and we wanted to do something to contribute, but we know that artists are always being asked to donate and we didn’t want to get into collecting money.”

Instead, a plan to organize ALE formed. The Watsons have donated proceeds from their own artwork and from Gary’s books to the fund and have found other artists who want to contribute their art and time to help stop the slaughter of the African elephants. The couple chose the Wildlife Conservation’s Elephant Crisis Fund because, as they state on their website, “ALE trusts in the fact the ECF joint venture project can accomplish its sole mission: to stop the killing of elephants.”

On Friday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., Gary and his neighbor, watercolorist Katey Sandy, will host a reception for their “For the Life of Elephants” art show inside the Second Story Gallery, located above the Camas Public Library, at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., in downtown Camas. Both artists will be on hand to discuss their artwork and ALE’s efforts to save the elephants. Keyboardist Brad Jensen will provide further entertainment during the First Friday gallery reception.

The “Art for the Life of Elephants” art show will be displayed at the Second Story Gallery through Saturday, Oct. 28. For more information, visit https://art4elephants.org or www.secondstorygallery.net.