Bellarine artist Moyra Le Blanc Smith\u2019s paintings express her passion for the country and coast she calls home.
\nAt her first solo exhibition, to be held at Eagles Nest Gallery throughout April, Le Blanc Smith is giving back to the environment that inspires her by donating a portion of sales to the Friends of the Leadbeater\u2019s Possum as part of Possum Awareness Week from March 28-April 3.
\nThe exhibition is titled Inspired by Nature and will feature paintings of forests, flowers, the outback, gum trees and the sea.
\nFor some time now, Le Blanc Smith has been searching for a way to make a difference to how the country is cared for and to leave a better environment for future generations.
\nLeadbeater\u2019s possums live in Victoria\u2019s Mountain Ash forests and were thought to be extinct until it\u2019s rediscovery in 1961 near Marysville.
\nNow they are on the critically endangered list due to loss of habitat from clear-fell logging and bushfires, with 45 per cent of their protected habitat decimated in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
\nUpon hearing of the leadbeater\u2019s possum\u2019s plight, she knew that this was a cause that needed her support.
\n\u201cI thought, \u2018why not use the art to make a difference to the survival of this creature and along with it, the other animals and plants which will be nurtured in the process?\u2019\u201d she said.
\nInspired by Nature will be at Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys Inlet throughout April, with the official opening on April 2 from 3-5pm.
\nLe Blanc Smith will be at the opening and will also donate 20 per cent of all sales from the exhibition to Friends of the Leadbeater\u2019s Possum.
\nFor more information, visit moyraleblancsmith.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bellarine artist Moyra Le Blanc Smith\u2019s paintings express her passion for the country and coast she calls home. At her first solo exhibition, to be held at Eagles Nest Gallery throughout April, Le Blanc Smith is giving back to the environment that inspires her by donating a portion of sales to the Friends of the […]<\/p>\n