Featuring a collection of her recent works, Jean Blackburn’s new exhibit, Helping When We Can, highlights the close relationships between humans and the animals around us. A certified Master Naturalist, Jean works regularly with wildlife rehabilitators and notes that sometimes creatures in need come to her and her husband on their own looking for assistance. Blackburn’s 14-acre property in the Old Miakka Community provides a varied landscape for native species and offers ample opportunities for her to observe wildlife living without human interference.
Join us for the exhibit opening reception on Wednesday, October 9, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Light refreshments will be served and the artist will be onsite to answer questions about her work. Select pieces will be available for sale with Blackburn generously donating one hundred percent of the proceeds to Conservation Foundation to protect Southwest Florida’s land and water.
Please RSVP below if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there!
Following the reception, the exhibit will be on display October 10 thru January 7, and may be viewed M-F, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please call our office at 941-918-2100 with questions and for holiday hours.
Questions about the event? Please contact Tianna Boswell-Porter at tianna@conservationfoundation.com.
Featured Image
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
12″x 12″ oil on wood panel with incised lines
“The image is of a yellow-bellied sapsucker who flew into my studio window and was stunned. He was lying on his back in the sun so I picked him up, keeping him quiet and secure until he regained consciousness and flew from my hand.” -Jean Blackburn
About Jean Blackburn
A third generation Florida native, Jean was born and grew up on Anna Maria Island. She received a BA Degree from the University of Florida, an AS degree in Biological Parks Technology from State College of FL, Gainesville and an MFA from the University of Oregon where she was awarded a two year graduate teaching fellowship. She taught fine arts at State College of Florida, Manatee, Ringling College of Art and Design and New College of Florida. She has completed a masters workshop at the Canadian School of Non-toxic Printmaking in Alberta and at The Edinburgh Institute of Printmaking in Scotland. She was certified by the University of Florida as a Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and served on governing boards of Sarasota’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Council, Sea to Shore Alliance and The Friends of Myakka River State Park. Her early adult years were spent sailing and painting throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and Central America. Together with her husband, Jean now splits her time between a small farm in Old Miakka and a cottage in the Village of Longboat Key.
