Artists display their animal instincts: nature provides the perfect inspiration for The Society of Animal Artists and its 50th anniversary celebration.

• Position: Museums Today

THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY "Annual Exhibition of The Society of Animal Artists" and the "Art and the Animal" tour premieres this month, with approximately 150 flatworks and sculptures on display. "Art and the Animal" is the flagship exhibition of The Society of Animal Artists, and refers to both the "Annual Exhibition of The SAA" and the traveling exhibit and tour that is generated from it. Combining natural history and fine art in creative ways, SAA members compete to have their work included in exhibitions selected by a jury comprised of its members.

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In addition, an awards jury, made up of individuals with the highest possible qualifications who are not members of SAA, are charged with selecting the top flatworks and sculptures and bestowing a variety of annual awards to respective artists. Those who have won five or more awards are given the special status of "Master Signature Membership," which qualifies them to bypass the jury and have their work included in future annual exhibitions automatically. Current Master Signature Artists include Charles Allmond, Chris Bacon, Gerald Balciar, Robert Bateman, Butt Brent, Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen, Guy Coheleach, Walter Matia, Leo Osborne, Sherry Salari Sander, Morten Solberg, and Kent Ullberg.

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Founded in 1960, The Society of Animal Artists is headquartered in the historic Salmagundi [Art] Club on Fifth Avenue in New York. Society members come from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. The mission of SAA is to promote excellence in the portrayal of animals---domestic and wild--in art. Past SAA members include...