Nationally renowned Sussex County wildlife artist will show her work at "Wildlife Weekend IX"

SUSSEX COUNTY-Carol Decker, nationally renowned Sussex County wildlife artist, naturalist, conservationist, educator, and award winner will exhibit an extensive collection of her work at "Wildlife Weekend IX" on Nov. 11-14 at Olde Lafayette Village in the Village Meeting Hall, Routes 15 and 94. The ninth annual special holiday art show and sale is sponsored by Wildlife Art Studio incooperation with Olde Lafayette Village. This year, Decker, in partnership with Olde Lafayette Village, will donate a percentage from each show sale to benefit the Senior Quality Of Life Foundation. The artist has supported many charities and non-profit organizations with her art over the years, and each year at the Wildlife Weekend Shows,she picks a different local charity to support. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 11-12; from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday; and from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. The public is invited and there is no admission charge. Refreshments will be served throughout the show, and the artist will be present to meet with guests. New limited-edition signed and numbered prints, an existing collection of signed and numbered prints, artist's proof prints, many new original pen and ink sketches and original acrylic paintings shown for the first time as well as previous work published in books and magazines. Featured in the show this year will be, "Farm Family", Eastern Bluebird, a new full color print signed and numbered in an edition of 500 from an original acrylic painting by the artist. "Farm Family" bluebird is offered for sale both framed and unframed as well as the entire extensive collection of Decker's artwork available in a wide range of affordable prices. Also featured in this year's show will be a collection of original acrylic paintings by the artist and published in a recent book by South Dakota Department of Fish, Game & Parks. The collection of paintings titled the "Shorebirds of South Dakota" will be offered for sale with a signed copy of the book. Decker also designed the artwork for the Olde Lafayette Village official logo for the Farmer's Market. A farmer's market reusable canvas bag features the artwork and all proceeds from the sales will be used to fund an agricultural scholarship each year for a Sussex County graduating senior. Decker has also donated the original logo artwork for this scholarship. Decker's artwork is well renowned in Sussex County, as well as statewide, nationally and internationally. The artist had the honor of winning the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show/New Jersey State Fair "Peoples Choice" awards for 2000, 2002, and 2003. She has also won the 2000 Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Competition, and her painting of a moose, "Close Encounter" will be featured on Christmas cards for Leanin' Tree for 2003-2004. For more information, call the Wildlife Art Studio at 973-948-5597 visit caroldeckerwildlifeartstudio.com, or call Olde Lafayette Village at 973-383-8323.