For the second year in a row LIFE Lynx organized a three-day art workshop Kingdom of the Lynx and the exhibition of works at Snežnik Castle. Eight participants from different art backgrounds sought inspiration for their work in learning about the life of a lynx. Art primarily addresses and explores the emotional side of the story of rescuing and protecting an endangered species, so we convey a message about the importance of lynx conservation through artists and their works. This year, we also connected with a local tourist organization – Public Institute Snežnik, with which we will strive in the future for the development of creative tourism based on lynx and other large carnivores.
Participants of the art workshop with the Mayor of Loška Dolina and the director of Javni Zavod Snežnik. Photo: Manca Dremel, LIFE Lynx
The art workshop took place between July 31, and August 2, 2020 at Turizem Jure in Gornje Poljane under the mentorship of academic painters Karmen Bajec and Simon Lavrič. LIFE Lynx project team members presented to the participants interesting facts about lynx , along with the latest findings on lynx research in Slovenia and the reasons for their endangered status, show a movie, and with artists visited typical lynx habitat. Part of the day we joined the Floating Castle festival, where artists created on the scene and presented the role of art in nature conservation to the festival participants, and at the LIFE Lynx project stand we presented our project activities.
Filed excursion in the lynx habitat with the presentation of lynx research methods. Photo: Manca Dremel, LIFE Lynx.
Work in progress. Photo: Manca Dremel, LIFE Lynx
The workshop ended with the opening of an exhibition of works at Snežnik Castle, which was opened by the Mayor of Loška Dolina municipality, Mr. Janez Komidar. The exhibition will be on view until August 23, 2020.
Artists creating art on the scene of the Floating castle festival. Photo: Manca Dremel, LIFE Lynx
Part of the lynx art exhibition in the Snežnik Castle. Photo: Manca Dremel, LIFE Lynx
We are thankful to Javni zavod Snežnik, Slovenian National Museum, Društvo ljubiteljev gradu Snežnik – Floating Castle Festival, Public Institute Snežnik and Guesthouse Turizem Jure for their help with the art workshop implementation.