NEW YORK, NY.- Artexpo New York will this year feature several exhibits inspired by an appreciation for the environment. This art trend reflects the growing consumer interest in green living and will appeal to eco-conscious buyers interested in artwork that reflects their values and tastes.

Environmental artists exhibiting at Artexpo New York include: Wyland: One of the world’s most renowned environmental artists, Wyland is best known for his famous Whaling Wall murals depicting the beauty of the underwater world. Wyland is an official artist for the U.S. Olympic team and will paint his 100th Whaling Wall during this year’s Beijing Summer Olympic Games. Wyland will appear with other Olympic artists at an unveiling of official Olympic artworks at Artexpo New York on Saturday, March 1 at 1pm.

John James Audubon: The “Birds of America” collection of bird images from the early 19th century made John James Audubon a household name. Now, the Audubon Centennial Edition is the first comprehensive collection to meticulously restore the detail and brilliance of the original plate images. The limited edition of 200 includes facsimiles of the entire double elephant folio of 435 bird images. In association with the National Audubon Society, this unique limited edition is dedicated to conserving our natural ecosystems.

Melinda Nye is an associate member of the American Society of Media Photographers, whose images are used to promote conservation efforts worldwide. She has been a contributing Earthwatch Institute photographer since 2001 and her images of Brazilian wildlife have appeared in print media worldwide. She recently exhibited her “Four Seasons” series, including “Spring” pictured, with the Audubon Society.

Michael Glinski has been hailed by Asian media as a “genius ocean artist” who uses his work to inspire people to care about the environment. Glinski opened the first art gallery in Palau in 2003 and has launched conservation campaigns protecting the local coral reefs and marine life.

Robert Bissell is an illustrator known for his whimsical depictions of wildlife, which are often compared to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Bissell is inspired by literature and surrealist art but mainly from nature itself. Through his work, he hopes to remind people of their spiritual link to the natural world and to inspire them to care for the environment and its furry friends.

Mija is a collaboration between husband and wife team Jim and Libby Mijanovich, founded on the philosophy of using the Earth’s resources conscientiously. The Mijanovichs left behind their careers in science, engineering and health care to pursue a dream to blend creativity with their environmental convictions. The result is fiber art made from recycled materials, namely vintage clothing, and intricately stitched with metallic threads. The resulting pieces are then framed in sustainable walnut shadow boxes.

Artexpo New York will mark 30 years as the world’s largest fine and popular art fair when it returns to the Javits Convention Center from February 28 to March 3, 2008. Since debuting in 1978, Artexpo New York has helped launch the careers of some of the finest American artists of the 20th century, including Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Robert Indiana, Leroy Neiman and Robert Rauschenberg.

Tickets for Artexpo New York are available the day of the show at the Javits Convention Center box office or at www.artexpos.com. The show is open on February 28 and 29 from 10am to 6pm to trade only, and then to the public on March 1 from 10am-6pm, March 2 from 11am-6pm, and March 3 from 10am-2pm. Adult tickets cost $15 a day; $5 for seniors and students. Entry for children under 12 is free.