Art and nature

FALLBROOK — At the Fallbrook Land Conservancy’s (FLC) Sixth Annual Emerald Grove Recognition Dinner in April, guests witnessed the renewal of ties between the FLC and the Fallbrook Village Association’s (FVA) Art Center. Mary Perhacs, Director of Exhibitions for the Center, pledged $1,000 to the FLC on behalf of the Art Center’s longest standing annual show, the Reflections of Nature Wildlife Art Show.

“We appreciate this gift and are honored to be a part of the Wildlife Art Show again,” said Wallace Tucker, FLC Chairman. “The FLC and the Art Center have benefited greatly from the inspiration, talent and leadership of individuals who been active in both organizations.”

Many attendees were unaware of the history of this show. In 1994, the show was held as a fundraiser for the FLC’s Palomares House; three years later, it had outgrown that venue and served as a primary catalyst for the acquisition of the Harrison Rexall Pharmacy property at Main and Alvarado – now the home of the Art Center. The first few years after the move, the monies generated continued to support the FLC, but as time passed, show proceeds were needed to support the new Art Center.

This year marked a major change in this 13-year-old show, the largest wildlife art show in the nation. After being produced for the past six years by volunteer board members, control of the show moved to the Art Center’s Director of Exhibitions, Mary Perhacs.

“I was anxious to take this long-standing show to the next level. I wanted to shed light on the conservation efforts made by not only the participating artists but by our town as well. The FVA works at revitalization and preservation of our core downtown area through the arts, while the FLC works at conserving and maintaining the open space in and around our wonderful village. We hope to be increasing this donation as the Reflections of Nature show expands,” said Perhacs.

It’s not surprising to find there is a large crossover between these two groups with common members, directors and supporters. Dawne Goodwin McCullough and her husband Mickey are perfect examples; they serve as directors for the FLC and sit on the Advisory Board of the FVA, the nonprofit parent of the Art Center.

With these two organizations, Art & Nature have reached the perfect partnership, resulting in many wonderful projects. The newest and fastest growing FVA program is the Art in Public Places wildlife sculpture garden at the Palomares House Park on Stage Coach Lane. This joint venture between the FLC, the FVA and San Diego State University’s Santa Margarita Ecological Preserve has created a wonderful park featuring native plants and an arboretum of flowering trees along with bronze wildlife sculptures with educational background information. Another highly visible Art & Nature project is the Treescape Mural on Hawthorne Street downtown that lists FLC Treescape and Emerald Grove members each year.

“The Art Center is looking forward to seeing their name added to the roster of proud contributors to this important organization,” said Perhacs.

For more information on the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, please call (760) 728-0889. For more information on the Fallbrook Village Association’s Art Center at Fallbrook, please call (760) 728-1414.