Renowned marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey has been selected to create the 2011 poster for the 48th annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Feb. 19-21.
Admired for his unique blend of sincere scientific observation and exploratory artistry, Harvey’s work comes as result of complete and utter devotion to the subjects he paints. He is most widely recognized for his brightly colored depiction of warm water marine sport fish in their natural settings, with media including water color, oil and acrylic. His original paintings and his depictions of sea life also have been featured as wall murals and in apparel lines popular with sport fishermen.
Growing up in Jamaica, Harvey spent many hours fishing and diving with his father. While he often replicated the natural creations he observed daily in paintings, his fascination with marine biology initially drew him to a career in the sciences. He attended Scotland’s Aberdeen University, graduating with highest honors in Marine Biology in 1977, and shortly after obtained a doctorate in Fisheries Management from the University of the West Indies.
He returned to Jamaica in 1985 and exhibited a series of 44 original pen and ink drawings which depicted the story of “The Old Man and the Sea.” A result of the exhibition’s success, Harvey began painting full time by 1988 and began traveling the world to gain more knowledge of marine life, diving into the world of underwater photography and painting.
Harvey also is an advocate for marine conservation and the cofounder of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, as well as the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. His leadership in assisting to provide necessary scientific information has advanced the marine biology community into better understanding marine biodiversity and protecting the world’s fisheries.
“With Biscayne Bay serving as its backdrop, it would seem only natural that the festival select an artist who represents the true South Floridian spirit and champions the inspirational beauty of the place we call home,” said Monty Trainer, president of the Grove Arts Festival.
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is produced by the non-profit Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association. Proceeds help fund year-round arts programs and benefit a building fund that will create a permanent home for the Arts Festival. The association also maintains the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery and presents special exhibitions throughout the year from its location at the Shoppes at Mayfair.
Since its inception in 1963, the association has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to students who attend fine arts programs in local schools.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the Grove Arts Festival online, visit www.CGAF.com.
