LIMPOPO – For wildlife artist Juliette Venter, this is a milestone moment.

Years of dedication for her craft and her passion for wildlife conservation have culminated in her participation in the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) annual auction.

Two of her pieces, a young male lion titled Moran (“young warrior” in Swahili) and a leopard titled Ghost of the Bushveldt, will be auctioned to raise funds for the protection of endangered species.

“It feels incredibly humbling, and I am so blessed. I actually don’t have words for how I feel at this moment. It kind of feels like a dream,” Juliette says. “I have always admired non-profit conservation organisations, and now I get to contribute through my art. For me, this is both an opportunity for exposure and a chance to help protect these incredible animals.”

Big cat artworks highlight beauty and vulnerability

Her choice of big cats is deliberate. Lions and leopards, iconic yet vulnerable, face threats from habitat loss, human conflict and hunting.

“These animals are powerful and beautiful, but humans have created many of the challenges they face. Through my art, I hope to show their fragility and beauty, and inspire people to protect them.”

Juliette’s approach to art is as sustainable as it is emotive. She uses recycled materials whenever possible, even revamping old boxes and packaging into canvases, reflecting her commitment to environmental stewardship.

“Every part of my process, from painting to packaging, is about reducing waste and honouring the planet.”

EWT auction pairs art with purpose-driven experiences

The EWT auction, held in partnership with Go2Africa and the Expedition Project, is more than a showcase of African art. It offers exclusive conservation experiences, luxury safaris, and once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities, all contributing to conservation programmes across Africa.

Tammy Baker, EWT organiser, explains that every winning bid helps protect wildlife, support communities, and safeguard the ecosystems that sustain all. “Through art and experiences, we connect people to purpose.”

Artists play a vital role in conservation, says Baker. “Art can do what science alone often cannot; it evokes emotion, inspires empathy, and mobilises action. By showcasing these incredible works, we hope to inspire people to see conservation not as a distant concept, but as a shared responsibility.”

Juliette agrees and said: “As a conservation artist, it is my duty to show the beauty and power of wildlife and to remind people how critical every species is to the balance of our ecosystems. From the smallest insect to the largest predator, everything matters.”

Proceeds support wildlife protection across Africa

The auction opens at 19:00 on December 1, and closes at 19:00 on December 3. Proceeds support field-based conservation, biodiversity research, and community projects that protect wildlife and ecosystems across Africa.

Through this partnership, Juliette and the EWT hope to inspire a global audience to act, to bid, to give, and ultimately, to help ensure that future generations inherit a world where wildlife thrives.