EVERY 15 minutes, an elephant is killed for its tusks.

To support the work of Anti-Poaching charities in Kenya, an Enormous Elephant Art Exhibition will be held at Lyndhurst Community Centre October 29-30 (10am-4pm).

Event organiser and local artist Susie Laan said: “We have gathered together work from elephant artists around the world as well as local Hampshire artists.We have had such a response from artists wanting to help elephants.”

As well as facing the dangers of ivory poaching, elephants are threatened by destruction of their natural habitat. But conservation charities like the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya are working to protect elephants and their habitats.

The charity’s work includes hand-rearing baby elephants that have been orphaned by poachers, making sure they are reintegrated into wild herds. More than 100 orphans have been rescued and reintroduced in this way. The charity also works alongside Kenya Wildlife Service Anti-Poaching rangers to protect wild herds and keep threatened habitats safe.

The Enormous Elephant Art Exhibition will raise funds to support the charity’s important work, as well as giving local people a chance to learn more about elephants and the dangers they face.

The exhibition will showcase dozens of art pieces, from painting and sculpture to ceramics and textiles, featuring work by well-known artists from all over world, as well as from local art societies.

In addition, pupils from schools around the New Forest area have been working to create elephant sculptures from recycled bottles, creating a herd. There will be workshops for children on the day.

The over-sixties have also been involved in the project, with table top-elephants including those from local care and residential homes, taking part to join the exhibition’s herd which will all be displayed all over the New Forest and surrounding areas weeks before the exhibition..

Elephant paintings and sculptures will be available to buy, with proceeds going to the charity.

On Saturday, there will also be limited tickets for a gala evening event from 7pm, with wine, hot food and a silent auction featuring many of the art works on show which will also run throughout both days of the show.

“I am passionate about helping to save elephants from extinction” says Susie Laan. “Please come along and help them too!”

Further details are available at www.enormouselephantart.com. More information about the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found at www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org.