CWF PARTNERS WITH RENOWNED ARTIST JAMES FIORENTINO AND SOMERSET PATRIOTS BASEBALL TEAM IN WIN FOR WILDLIFE

by Emily Hofmann, Project Coordinator

It doesn’t get any more All-American than the national pastime, our national emblem, and a post-game show of fireworks – all part of the first-ever “Wild in the Ballpark” event. CWF partnered with nationally renowned sports and wildlife artist James Fiorentino, Studio 7 Fine Arts Gallery, and the Somerset Patriots to host this unique event at TD Bank Ballpark.

CWF supporters enjoy box seats provided by the Somerset Patriots.

CWF Executive Director David Wheeler addressed the crowd of 3,500 from home plate with a speech about CWF, and his son threw the game’s honorary opening pitch. Wheeler then had the privilege of joining broadcaster Justin Antweil for an in-game interview on SPN.tv and WCTC radio throughout the fourth inning. And fans had the opportunity to meet Fiorentino as he signed wildlife posters at CWF’s guest booth.

Fiorentino signing a poster of his artwork for an eager fan

The night kicked off “Rare Wildlife Revealed,” a traveling art exhibition partnership between Fiorentino and CWF. While his sports art has graced the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame and many other destinations, Fiorentino’s stunning wildlife watercolor portraits are the focus of this exhibition, which will visit over a dozen museums, galleries and other venues during the next three years.

CWF founder Linda Tesauro with long time board member, Rick Weiman.

The exhibition officially kicks off this week at D&R Greenway Land Trust, located at 1 Preservation Place in Princeton, New Jersey.  The opening premiere will be held on September 30^th at 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This free event will feature former Governor Tom Kean, along with CWF biologists who will discuss the rare wildlife species they work with – many of which are featured in Fiorentino’s paintings.

Watch below for highlights from the night and listen as Wheeler joined on the game broadcast to discuss the true beauty of New Jersey’s rare wildlife and its place in our changing state.

Tags: 2016, conserve wildlife, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, New Jersey, NJ, somerset patriots, summer events, wild in the ballpark, wildlife, wildlife events

This entry was posted on Friday, September 9th, 2016 at 5:17 pm and is filed under Education, Events, Get Involved, Wildlife News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.