Public Program – Debbie Bankert discusses her grant work in Columbia
June 10, 2012
BASNCR’s Quarterly Meeting at the U.S. Botanic Gardens, Washington, DC – (USBG), 12:30-4:00
Here is a copy of our announcement posted November 2011:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Congratulations Debbie!
At this year’s ASBA Convention, I received the 2011 Julius Brown grant from the American Society of Botanical Artists, partnered with an in-kind donation from ProAves, Inc., to paint endemic and endangered plant species in the El Dorado Reserve in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, SA.
@ Debbie Bankert - Guzmania goudotiana - El Dorado, Nov., 2009
The El Dorado Reserve is approximately 1800 acres designed to protect birds and other species in the Colombian mountains. My desire is to increase public and professional awareness of the importance of botanical art for scientific study and aesthetic beauty while contributing to the conservation of these species.
In an effort to bring attention to El Dorado Reserve’s vast collection of endemic and endangered species, I have completed 4 paintings from the reserve depicting the “Racinaea de Santa Marta”, the “Guzmania pallida,” the “Tillandsia sigmoidea & Santa Marta Parakeet,” and the “Guzmania goudotiana” (threatened).
These plants were found on location within the reserve. Christian Olaciregui, former Reserve Manager, discovered the species which had not been assessed for over 100 years and was instrumental in making field studies possible. The Santa Marta Parakeet (critically threatened) was obtained from a photo, used with permission, by Dr. Paul Salaman, World-Land Trust, US.
In partnership with The American Bird Conservancy, I have expanded my pursuit to include endangered birds and surrounding habitats. Upon returning to the reserve, I plan to take photos of endangered and endemic hummingbirds that frequent the lodge area as well as any other species that are sighted for inclusion with the plant studies.
Working in graphite and colored pencil while on location, I transfer the drawings to watercolor paper upon returning to my studio. I take extensive notes measuring sizes and indicating color while in the field. Many photos are taken with a macro lens to allow me to see the detail. Where possible, plant flowering parts are collected and placed under clear shipping tape to preserve shape, size and color. When appropriate, plants and pollinators are shown full size.
In 2009, I received a Grant from the ASBA which allowed me to begin this project and I am estimating two additional trips are needed to complete the documentation of, though not limited to, endemic and endangered bromeliad species. I am planning the trips for February-April during the flowering season. On my previous trip, I traveled in November and the flowering parts were not opened but I was able to obtain some spectacular specimens.
Since leaving El Dorado in November, 2009, the Reserve Manager discovered four more additional bromeliads thought to be lost. I am anxious to record these in artistic form.
The former Colombia Ambassador, Carolina Barco, expressed an interest in this project and I will approach the new Ambassador to request support of an art exhibit at the Colombia Embassy in DC. Through efforts of the former El Dorado Reserve Manager and others, I plan to arrange an exhibit in Colombia highlighting the need for conservation. Developing an appreciation for beauty that is forgotten and destined for extinction will be the focus
In May, 2010, Ambassador Barco hosted a reception honoring ProAves, Inc. and The American Bird Conservancy at the Colombian Ambassador’s residence where paintings from my first trip were displayed. During a Summit Meeting reception honoring top Reserve Managers from Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru given by The American Bird Conservancy in DC in September, 2010, I introduced my painting “Tillandsia sigmoidea and Santa Marta Parakeet” which was very well received.
During 2010, I spoke to many art and business groups about my project. This allowed me to draw attention to conservation needs while encouraging artists to think “outside the box” when using their talents.
Botanical art is a progressive and important resource for portraying and studying endangered and rare species and their ecosystems. With the new grant, I plan to speak to secondary school and college art students to broaden their view of how they can contribute their artistic talents to be part of the solution for survival of species at risk.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
