Dennis Curry, “Autumn Vineyard”
Those of us who live on the Central Coast know intuitively the natural beauty that surrounds us.
Whether walking along vast stretches of ocean and beaches, driving through miles of verdant vineyard, or standing mesmerized by rolling hills and oaks, we all are acutely aware of how fortunate we are to be living in this unique part of the state.
While we experience all this firsthand, there is an exceptionally talented group of artists who express artistically what the rest of us feel when we’re enjoying nature.
San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment is a charitable organization comprised of a group of local professional artists striving to capture the beauty and uniqueness of California’s Central Coast. They use their art to draw public attention to our area and generate funds to preserve local lands for open space, wildlife, and ecologically respectful recreation, ranching and farming.
This year, the group’s annual art show, Colors of Conservation, was held at the Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo August 8-9 to benefit the Land Conservancy of SLO County. SLOPE artists participating included Dennis Curry, Jan French, Hilda Freyre, Dotty Hawthorne, Sandi Heller, Dan Jones, Joe McFadden, Laurel Sherrie, Gisele Thompson, Jim Tyler and emeritus members Anne Laddon, Tracy Paz and Denise Schryver.
While the show in San Luis Obispo ran only for two days, Art Center Morro Bay has stepped up to host it again from September 18 to November 3. An opening reception will be held Sunday, September 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. In addition, more of the artists’ works can be viewed online.
SLOPE members also have joined members of The Oak Group of Santa Barbara to host an online sale of Carrizo Plain landscapes to help support restoration efforts for areas of the Carrizo Plain National Monument damaged by the recent Madre Fire.
As residents of this diverse and exceptionally beautiful region, we not only reap the physical and emotional benefits of living with nature and wildlife all around us, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that we protect it for future generations and visitors to our community.