Banovich Art Supports Safari Club International Foundation with Time Limited Edition Giclée “King”
Safari Club International 12.19.13
Banovich Art Has Committed 50% of Proceeds to Lion Conservation
Banovich Art and wildlife artist, John Banovich, have committed to supporting lion conservation through donating 50% of proceeds from sales of the time limited edition giclée canvas “King.” Donations from giclée sales are supporting both the SCI Foundation Fighting for Lions Campaign and the Banovich Wildscapes Foundation Lion PRIDE Initiative, with 25% of the proceeds from this unique artwork being donated to each organization.
John Banovich, world-renowned wildlife artist and conservationist, has a deep relationship with lions. Banovich has studied lions throughout Africa for nearly 20 years, and he founded the Lion PRIDE Initiative through the Banovich Wildscapes Foundation, helping to secure a more stable future for lions.
“I have had the privilege of seeing over five hundred lions in the wild over the last thirty trips to Africa,” said Banovich, “and have come to know the severe threats facing the cats outside of the protected areas, and the people who have dedicated their lives to studying them and fostering their protection.”
A contemporary depiction of a large male lion in his prime who has beaten the odds, “King” represents the very best of John Banovich as well as the challenging struggle of lions today. It is an iconic image that represents the fate of the species and the current atmosphere regarding lion conservation. This distinguished Banovich limited edition giclée was created to celebrate 20 years of the Banovich & SCI partnership as well as raise much needed funding for lion conservation through sales of the limited edition giclée canvas. The image of “King” is supporting this mission in more ways than one. Banovich has also donated the original oil painting to be auctioned at the Safari Club International Convention, along with a custom timepiece donated by the Montana Watch Company inspired by the painting.
Safari Club International Foundation President Joseph Hosmer commented, “As a strong advocate of Safari Club International Foundation and a member of our Advisory Board, John has been a great partner and friend for many years. His outstanding talent and insight into “King” shows through to all of us who have ever witnessed a lion in the wild. This artwork will directly support our Foundation’s ongoing conservation and scientific data collection efforts. For this we humbly thank John, but as John will surely agree that, in the end, it is done to the benefit of the wild lion. Thank you, John!”
This time limited edition giclée canvas will only be available until the last day of the SCI Convention, February 8th 2014, making it a very unique and exclusive artwork. The canvas is 36 x 24 inches and is available framed or unframed. The “King” giclée can be purchased online at www.johnbanovich.com or by contacting Banovich art 888.486.3160 or banovich@johnbanovich.com.
Protecting hunters’ rights and promoting wildlife conservation, SCI’s two areas of focus, historically has been the interest of hundreds of individuals long before SCI was established. But how did SCI as an organization begin?
Forty years ago, there were many safari clubs across the country made up of local, unaffiliated groups of hunters. One such was Safari Club of Los Angeles, which was formed in April 1971 by forty-seven individuals. In early 1972, an out-of-towner from a similar club in Chicago attended one of the monthly Wednesday night meetings, and it was decided that the L.A. club should attempt to combine with the one in Chicago to make it an affiliated chapter. The founder of Safari Club of Los Angeles, C.J. McElroy, went to the Windy City and instituted the new chapter.
Eleven months after the formation of Safari Club of Los Angeles, on March 9, 1972, the name was changed officially to Safari Club International. SCI continued to reach out to other independent safari clubs throughout the United States in an effort to combine them into a single overall organization.
Today, interest in SCI’s two primary missions has grown a worldwide network. Subsequent involvement and promotion of these missions is rooted in each of our 55,000 members, supported through each of our 190 membership chapters found across the globe, and put into action by government representatives and personnel both nationally and internationally.
In this way, we can encourage an appreciation for nature and wildlife so that conservation efforts remain strong, while also fighting to protect our rich hunting heritage. Big changes can be achieved through the endeavors of many who are united in a mission – the mission of Safari Club International.
