Sutter Creek, CA…From February 17 to March 13 the “AnimalScapes of the Sierra Foothills” Art Event will be installed in the banquet room, next to the restaurant, of The Hotel Sutter in Sutter Creek. The public is invited come by and see the 54 original pieces of juried art and poetry created by artists in three counties that explores the diverse animal world found in the Sierra foothills. The exhibit will be open daily, with most of the works for sale.

This 14” ceramic work, “Bear Cub’s First Salmon,” was created by Alexis Adams-Halstead of Sonora and is the First Place winner in three dimensional art. Kat Everitt of Pioneer has won First Place for her poem “Upcountry Mountain Lion.” Amador artistt Michiyo Watanabe entered this amazing photograph of a crane. The non-profit Tri-County Wildlife Care and the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife will bring their unique exhibits to each “AnimalScapes”reception, including the one in the Hotel Sutter.

The Amador Opening Reception for “AnimalScapes” will be on Saturday, February 20, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at The Hotel Sutter. Besides enjoying live music by singer/songwriter Jill Warren, guests will observe several live feathered friends including owls and hawks brought to the event by Tri County Wildlife from its “Saving Wildlife Saves Us” educational program. Spokespersons from California Dept. Fish and Wildlife, and the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) will also be on hand. The event is free and open to the public.

The following Awards, based on the votes of six Art Jurors, were announced at the kick-off exhibit in Calaveras County. Two-Dimensional Art: First Place-Wendy Rogers for “Black Bear – Colorful Woods”; Honorable Mention- Martha Wallace for “Up River Sourgrass”; Three Dimensional Art: First Place Alex Adams-Halstead for “Bear Cub’s First Salmon”; Honorable Mention-Sarah Switek for “Hoo Cares About Me?” Photography: First Place – First Place- Susan Connor for “Thika”; Honorable Mention – Steve Brooks for “Star Bucks!” Poetry: First Place – Kat Everitt for “Upcountry Mountain Lion”; Honorable Mention – Linda Toren for “Ah wah nah tah.”

Anybody who comes to see the exhibit during its run may take part in the Popular Choice Award voting. This won’t be easy, because, after all, who doesn’t love to see a photograph, painting or sculpture of pets, wildlife or exotic animals? After its stay in Sutter Creek, the exhibit will be packed up and moved to the lobby of the Black Oak Casino Hotel in Tuolumne. This will be the final show of the project and will occur from March 15 to April 3, with the opening reception on March 19.

The landmark “AnimalScapes” project was created through a “Creative California Communities” grant from the California Arts Council, a State Agency and is a collaboration of the Calaveras Arts Council, the lead agency, with the arts councils of Amador and Tuolumne Counties. A similar project last year was “River Reflections.” For more information, ie. the list of finalist artists and poets, visit www.calaverasarts.org or phone 209-754-1774.