Extirpation: Local Extinction

Extirpation: Local Extinction is an event featuring both an art exhibition and a panel discussion on the theme of extirpation, i. e. local extinction, in the ACT. Local artists are invited to submit artwork on the topic.

Extirpation: Local Extinction features both an art exhibition and a panel discussion on the theme of extirpation, i. e. local extinction, in the ACT. The event is run by students of the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) at the Australian National University (ANU). Local artists are invited to submit artwork depicting species or ecological communities listed on the ACT Threatened Species List to be exhibited at the event. The panel will feature professionals from both the art and science communities who will be invited to speak on the topic of local extinction.

The goals of Extirpation: Local Extinction are to:
• Facilitate collaboration between artists and science communicators.
• Encourage the community to consider conservation and the threat of extirpation to threatened species in their local region on an emotional level through art.
• Facilitate open dialogue with the community with the goal of gaining greater public support for effective conservation outcomes.
• Encourage scientists to examine conservation science from different perspectives.
• Highlight the similarities between art and science as fields that value creativity, observation, and innovation.

Panel discussion:

The panel will comprise three to four professionals from both the art and science communities. This page will be updated with details of the panellists as they are confirmed. Panellists will also be asked to judge the Professionals' Choice Award.

Our first confirmed panellist is John Reid, a visual artist whose artwork addresses the environment, human rights and cultural identity.

Our second panellist is Eleanor Gates-Stuart, a visual media artist whose work focusses on scientific exploration and technology.

Our third panellist is Stephen Sarre, a Professor in Wildlife Genetics at the University of Canberra.

Our fourth panellist is Shoshana Rapley, an outreach officer at the Capital Woodlands and Wetlands Trust.

Art exhibition:

The exhibition is an opportunity for artists to explore the issue of threatened species in the Canberra region which are at risk of extirpation, i. e. local extinction, and encourages artists to contribute to the environmental debate.

When it will be:

The event will be held from 6: 00pm-8: 30pm on Monday the 22nd of May 2017. Doors will open at 6: 00pm and the panel discussion will begin at 6: 30pm.

Location:

The event will be held at the Australian National University (ANU) Innovations Theatre, Anthony Low Building (Building 124), Garran Rd, Acton ACT 2601. Entry to the event is via Eggleston Rd, opposite Graduate House.

Prizes:

There will be two prizes, each consisting of $200 cash plus a $25 Eckersley's gift card. Attendees of the event will be asked to nominate an artwork for the People's Choice Award, with the artwork receiving the most votes deemed the winner. Three to four professionals from the art and science communities will join a panel discussion on the night, and this panel will collectively award the Professionals' Choice Award.

Who is eligible to enter:

Entry is open to all artists in the Canberra region, however, artists are responsible for any costs associated with transporting the artworks to and from the venue.

What artworks are eligible:

Paintings, etchings, prints, sketches, pastels and photographs are eligible for the Extirpation: Local Extinction Art Prize. If you wish to submit sculptures please contact the competition organisers to discuss whether or not this will be an available option. Works previously exhibited at other exhibitions are eligible for the competition. Artworks must not exceed the size limit 100cm x 100cm when displayed. Artworks must depict species or ecological communities listed on the ACT Threatened Species List to be eligible for the exhibition: http://www. environment. act. gov. au /cpr /conservation_and_ecological_communities /threatenedspecieslist

How do I enter:

Registration to the Extirpation: Local Extinction Art Prize will be online only and will be open from Monday the 17th of April until Friday the 12th of May 2017. Artworks will be exhibited on Monday the 22nd of May 2017. Artists may enter up to three works. Artists are asked to provide a short biography (limit 300 words) and an artist’s statement on the entered work (limit 100 words).

To express your interest in submitting artwork for Extirpation: Local Extinction, please contact us at extirpationevent@gmail.com where you will be sent a registration form to complete and return.

If you have any questions please contact the event organisers on extirpationevent@gmail.com or through this page.

Make sure to follow the event on twitter (@extirpation2017) and instagram (extirpationexhibition2017) for updates and for profiles on our artists and species!