“RED HEADED WOODPECKER”: D&R Greenway Land Trust will host the premiere exhibition of “Conserve Wildlife’s Rare Wildlife Revealed: The James Fiorentino Traveling Art Exhibition,” on view September 12 through October 14. Former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean will be a special guest at the reception. Pictured here is James Florentino’s “Red Headed Woodpecker.” His works depict some of the state’s most endangered and vulnerable species.

D&R Greenway Land Trust will host the premiere exhibition of Conserve Wildlife’s Rare Wildlife Revealed: The James Fiorentino Traveling Art Exhibition, on view September 12 through October 14, with an opening reception Friday, September 30, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean will be a special guest at the reception. D&R Greenway and Conserve Wildlife Foundation New Jersey jointly organized the exhibit. Sales of the original paintings, limited edition digital prints, and a book with a forward by Governor Kean, as well as wildlife merchandise, will benefit D&R Greenway Land Trust and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

September 12 through October 20, D&R Greenway’s Olivia Rainbow Gallery hosts the annual Conserve Wildlife Foundation Species on the Edge Student Art Exhibition. Art of rare and endangered New Jersey species has been created by fifth graders throughout the state. The exhibit features each county’s winner, the paintings chosen by a jury of artists; essays by scientists. All gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Please call ahead to confirm availability of Marie L. Matthews Galleries for the Fiorentino works. (609) 924-4646; www.drgreenway.org.

The realistic paintings of James Fiorentino depict some of the state’s most endangered and vulnerable species.

“Renowned as one of the best sports artists in the country, Jim’s works hang in major museums,” says Governor Kean, who met the artist while serving as president of Drew University — Fiorentino was a student there in the 1990s, when his sports figures started receiving national attention. He was featured on ABC World News and in The New York Times. “In recent years he has turned to wildlife. Jim has created an amazing body of work …. Many of the creatures he paints are endangered, and Jim celebrates their uniqueness and beauty.”

“Mr. Fiorentino’s incredibly evocative artwork inspires viewers by putting a spotlight on these charismatic yet often overlooked wildlife species,” says Conserve Wildlife Foundation New Jersey Executive Director David Wheeler. “His watercolor paintings truly bring wildlife to life. His art helps to educate and engage viewers about the precipitous declines that many of these species have suffered and helps us bring attention to the very tangible steps that people can take to save and strengthen these wildlife populations.”

“The subject of disappearing New Jersey wildlife speaks directly to the work that we do to protect habitats,” says D&R Greenway President and CEO Linda Mead. “As an admirer of James Fiorentino’s artistic talent, I am thrilled that we were selected as the premiere venue for this exhibition. Conserve Wildlife Foundation New Jersey has been a long-time partner with D&R Greenway, exhibiting their Species on the Edge fifth-grade art and essay contest winners annually in our Olivia Rainbow Gallery.” This year, the fifth graders art will be exhibited simultaneously with the Fiorentino exhibit, beginning September 12.

In 2014, Conserve Wildlife’s David Wheeler attended D&R Greenway’s Wild Creatures: Protecting Endangered Wildlife for 40 Years and saw a bobcat and red-tailed hawk painted by Fiorentino. Wheeler invited Fiorentino to judge the Species on the Edge youth contest, and from there wheels began to spin about an exhibition.

Fiorentino, 39, started painting animals when he was 10. Governor Kean’s passion for nature inspired him to become a trustee for the Raptor Trust in Millington, New Jersey. “We rehabilitate 4,000 wild birds a year and release about half that number,” says Fiorentino. “These wild birds have had a tremendous influence on me. I enjoy getting close to birds of prey, and it brought me back to nature art.” Before going back to his studio to paint the details, Fiorentino sketches the animals up close, sometimes holding them, taking in their details.

The Middlesex County native moved to Flemington with his wife 11 years ago. “I am awed by what we see in our own backyard: the (endangered) eastern box turtle, great horned owl, pileated woodpeckers, foxes, hawks, and butterflies. It’s an amazing backyard ecosystem.” His two young sons enjoy being in nature, the older one joining his father to draw wildlife, especially butterflies — proving that humans, too, benefit from having wildlife in their midst.

“Because of the 20,000 acres preserved by D&R Greenway, endangered wildlife who make their home in New Jersey will continue to have a supportive habitat,” says Fiorentino.

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