Nestle in with the eye-catching beauty of Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society's third annual Artist-Painted Nest Box Auction which soars into action with the Artists Reception and Auction Launch on Sept. 28 in Duncan.
"Celebrating our third year feels awesome," said Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society executive director Paul Fletcher. "This is part off the WildWings Nature and Arts Festival that we host, and will be the only event this year as we look at how we want the festival to move ahead."
As the society looks to the future, one thing that will remain present is that the popular nest box auction, which was inspired by wanting to add a little colour to the nest boxes the society was already building for swallows. Fletcher had the idea to encourage local artists to be involved.
"Last year, we hung the nest boxes at Just Jakes instead of the usual nature artists' work and invited our regular artists to paint nest boxes instead," said Fletcher. "The positive response was awesome."
This year Just Jakes will display the 29 nest boxes built by society volunteers and brought to life by artists such as Quentin Harris, Jan MacKirdy, Coco Jones, Jennifer Hedge, Luke Marston, and Robert Bateman to name a few.
"This is the second year that Robert Bateman has contributed a painted nest box, and it is a great honour to have him supporting our work at Somenos Marsh," said Fletcher. "He used to be a regular visitor watching the birds and wildlife and has contributed to our efforts several times in the past. For auction goers, where else can you find an original Robert Batecman artwork and only the second nest box that he has ever created? We also have nest boxes by several indigenous artists including Luke Marston, whose artworks are in collections worldwide."
The fund from this year's auction will got towards building 'Malcolm's Place' at the Somenos Marsh Open Air Classroom. Malcolm MacLeod, who was the society's volunteer facilities manager, was injured in a freak accident a few years ago, and the SMWS are building a small extension to add to the classroom facilities on the elevated boardwalk in his honour.
"Malcolm’s Place will be a nice quiet spot for him to visit in his wheelchair," said Fletcher. "he will also be guiding the construction in the background."
The launch, which will be open to the public at Just Jake's on Sept. 28 from 5 to 9 p.m., will give people not only the chance admire the finished nest boxes on display but also meet the artists behind these sweet swallow abodes while learning more about the work that the society does as well as the WildWings Festival. The online auction will go live at 5, the evening of the launch and bids are welcome until the show ends on Oct. 25. To bid on your favourite visit wildwingsfestival.com/nest-boxes/.
"The artist-painted nest box addresses the concern we have that swallow populations are falling and that people can help by installing nest boxes like these around their own home," said Fletcher. "We have installed close to 100 around Somenos Marsh, and there is a parallel program in the Cowichan estuary. The highest bidders will be taking home these awesome and original artworks. Whether they grace their home, or their gardens they will be noticed and help promote the importance of providing nesting opportunities when habitat is fast disappearing."
