Wildlife artist Janet Heaton will be recognized as the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Environmental Champion at the park’s NatureScaping and Dark Skies Festival on Saturday, March 16.
Through her work over the past 20 years, including countless volunteer hours, Ms. Heaton has raised more than $250,000 for the Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park and established the park as a venue for animal and wildlife art exhibition and appreciation. Since 1990 she has organized exhibitions featuring more than 100 artists, as well as local and international art societies.
Ms. Heaton founded the park’s Natural Selections Art Exhibition and Sale, a biennial event by the International Society of Animal Artists. Through her efforts, other artists have volunteered to enhance the exhibit hall and provide high-end art, jewelry and apparel for the gift shop.
In addition, Ms. Heaton has served on the board of directors of the Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park and the Nature Foundation.
A Florida native, Ms. Heaton says she has been fascinated by nature all of her life. Images of the birds and mammals of Africa and North America dominate her artwork. Ms. Heaton has traveled to many parts of Africa and India to photograph, paint and research her wildlife subjects. “Given a choice of any subject in the world, I would select the African elephant without hesitation,” she said in a prepared statement.
Ms. Heaton works in watercolor, oil and pastel. “Each medium produces different results … from the very delicate to the strongest and most powerful animal.” She has received numerous awards and recognition for her animal art and photography.
As a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists, Florida Watercolor Society, Pastel Society of American and Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, she has exhibited from New York City’s National Arts Club to East Africa’s Mount Kenya Safari Club. Ms. Heaton also is included in “Who’s Who of American Women,” “Who’s Who in American Art,” “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest,” “Who’s Who in America,” and “Who’s Who in the World.”
https://palmbeach.floridaweekly.com/articles/environmental-award-goes-to-artist-janet-heaton/