Siem Reap Goes Wild With City-Wide Wildlife Conservation Art in 2026

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Siem Reap is about to get a little wilder. This September, internationally acclaimed architect, designer, artist and philanthropist Bill Bensley will bring his vision for a new kind of wildlife festival to Cambodia’s temple city, transforming Siem Reap into a four-day celebration of art, wildlife and conservation.

Created by Bensley in partnership with the Shinta Mani Foundation, Drawn to the Wild has a simple idea at its heart: get young people to look more closely at Cambodia’s extraordinary wildlife and natural habitats, learn about the world around them, and express what they discover through art. And there will be plenty to discover.

From 17–20 September, participating hotels across Siem Reap will become exhibition spaces for thousands of wildlife artworks created by students and young artists, creating one enormous, city-wide wildlife art gallery.

With USD 15,000 in prize money, free public tours, wildlife activities, conservation conversations, special events and even a tuk-tuk Ranger procession, Drawn to the Wild is designed to be as much fun as it is meaningful.

Cambodia is home to some of Southeast Asia’s most extraordinary and increasingly threatened wildlife. Much of it remains underappreciated and imperiled. Drawn to the Wild aims to change that by making wildlife something to discover, celebrate and, ultimately, protect.

“I wanted to find a way to get children to really look at the extraordinary wildlife we have in Cambodia, rather than simply being told that we need to protect it,” says Bill Bensley. “If you can get a child to draw an animal, they have to look at it, think about it and understand it. That is where conservation starts.”

A CITY-WIDE WILDLIFE ART GALLERY

Participating hotels will display competition entries throughout the festival, effectively turning Siem Reap into one giant wildlife art gallery.

Participating hotels include:

Shinta Mani Angkor • FCC Angkor by Avani • Jaya House River Park • Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor • Park Hyatt Siem Reap • Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort • Treeline Urban Resort • Sala Lodges

The spectacle begins on 18 September, when judges, artists, teachers, hotel General Managers and guests take to approximately 46 tuk-tuks for the Official Judging & Art Tour.

Travelling from hotel to hotel, the colourful convoy will discover, discuss and judge the artworks — turning the streets of Siem Reap into a moving wildlife parade.

On 19 September, the public gets its turn. Visitors and guests are invited to join the Drawn to the Wild Art Tour, explore participating hotels and exhibition locations, discover the work of Cambodia’s young artists and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.

WILDLIFE, CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY

Art is only the beginning. Alongside the competition, Drawn to the Wild will feature a programme of wildlife and conservation experiences, including a Cardamom Conservation Conversation, wildlife-themed activities for local children, special dinners and gatherings, ranger-themed events and an exploration of the connection between art, architecture and Angkor.

Children from the local community will also be invited to get involved at Shinta Mani Angkor, with a programme of wildlife games and educational activities including a Wildlife Treasure Hunt, Save the Wildlife Relay and Guess the Wild Animal.

The festival’s community focus reflects the work of the Shinta Mani Foundation, which supports education and opportunities for disadvantaged young Cambodians.

Through Drawn to the Wild, art becomes a way to engage a new generation with Cambodia’s wildlife while giving young people the opportunity to learn, participate and have their creativity celebrated.

CALLING ALL RANGERS!

Every great expedition needs a Ranger. Drawn to the Wild is no exception. Participants in the 18 September judging day are being encouraged to report for duty in their best Ranger gear alongside Chief Ranger Bill, Ranger Ben of Shinta Mani Angkor and Ranger Jacky of Shinta Mani Wild.

Cool Ranger. Tough Ranger. Fashionista Ranger. Jungle Ranger. Glam Ranger.

Whatever Ranger you are, we want to see it. Think khaki, safari shirts, boots, hats, binoculars and utility belts — or throw the rulebook out altogether.

As the Rangers take to the tuk-tuks and tour the participating hotels, the colourful convoy will turn the streets of Siem Reap into a moving wildlife spectacle: fun, flamboyant and impossible to miss.

USD 15,000 IN PRIZE MONEY

There is serious incentive to get creative. Drawn to the Wild offers a total USD 15,000 prize fund, with winning artworks featured as part of the festival exhibition in Siem Reap for one full month, together with a certificate of recognition from renowned artist Bill Bensley and the Shinta Mani Foundation.

Young Children | Ages 6–12

Gold Award — USD 1,000
Silver Award — USD 500
Bronze Award — USD 250

High School Students | Ages 13–18

Gold Award — USD 1,500
Silver Award — USD 1,000
Bronze Award — USD 500

College & University Students | Ages 19–25

Gold Award — USD 2,000
Silver Award — USD 1,000
Bronze Award — USD 500

Adults & Open Category | Ages 25+

Gold Award — USD 2,500
Silver Award — USD 1,500
Bronze Award — USD 750

People’s Choice Award

USD 2,000

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BILL BENSLEY

The festival will also mark the opening of The World According to Bill Bensley: Drawings and Watercolours from 108 Countries and Counting, a major exhibition showcasing Bensley’s personal artwork spanning more than three decades of travel and exploration.

The exhibition opens with a private vernissage at Park Hyatt Siem Reap on 17 September, followed by its official grand opening on 18 September. It will remain at the hotel for approximately six months.

Known for his theatrical architecture and exuberant designs, Bensley has also spent decades championing conservation and community initiatives across Southeast Asia.

His work at Shinta Mani Wild, his luxury tented camp in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, reflects his belief that tourism can be a force for protecting threatened landscapes while creating opportunities for local communities.

Drawn to the Wild extends that philosophy to the next generation. By putting young people’s interpretations of Cambodia’s wildlife at the centre of a city-wide celebration, Bensley hopes the festival will do more than showcase beautiful artwork. It is about getting people to look, to learn and, ultimately, to care.

Selected works from Bensley’s own collection will also be offered for sale, with 100% of proceeds going to the Shinta Mani Foundation to support conservation and wildlife protection programmes.

DRAWN TO THE WILD — KEY PROGRAMME

17 SEPTEMBER | SOFT OPENING