An overzealous fan swiped a monochrome landscape piece from the Shambhala Music Festival this weekend, and Nelson artist and The Grove stage's art gallery curator Joe Nillo is calling for its return.
"We work really hard to make this art come to life. And we come together and display it at this festival not only to support ourselves and pay our bills, but to contribute to the magic that is SHAMBHALA," he wrote.
"When you walk by any of the art through this festival that brings you into its world or sprinkles a little magic onto your own, remember that someone made that."
Nillo was recently featured in the Star for live-painting he performed during a Bloom Nightclub concert.
"If there is any way you can give back, it's now...by spreading this word. To hopefully have this painting returned to where it belongs. So please, just take a minute today to pass this along. Share, tag, whatever you can do is appreciated."
Artist Chris Freek expressed his dismay over the theft.
"This is so painful to read. As a fellow artist I would be heartbroken if this had happened to me. I hope your painting is returned. And karma has its way of sorting out the total waste case that stole it," he wrote.
"I am starting to believe word has spread to all the wrong ears (but still tons of good ones). One love and a safe return of your work."
Another commenter and Shambhala fan refuted Freek's assertion that the festival has attracted the wrong sort of crowd.
"It only takes one person to steal, it doesn't reflect a change in anything. Just one person," Sacha Rosen wrote.
And though there is a police investigation ongoing, Nillo's primary concern isn't punishment.
"All we want is for the painting to be returned!"