Artists Wanted for Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest | freshare.net

Artists Wanted for Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest

By Oklahoma Dept of Wildlife Conservation

First posted on 06-29-2011

Artists’ entries are now being accepted for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest, featuring the white fronted goose. Submissions will be accepted through Aug. 31, and the winning artwork will be featured on the 2012-13 Oklahoma waterfowl stamp.

The Wildlife Department’s waterfowl stamp design contest draws artists from across the United States hoping to see their rendition of a pre-selected waterfowl species on the state’s next stamp, which also serves as a state waterfowl license. The Oklahoma waterfowl stamp is required of hunters who pursue waterfowl in Oklahoma and is an important source of funding for on-the-ground habitat work that benefits waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. The Wildlife Department receives no general state tax appropriations and is supported primarily through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, among them the Oklahoma waterfowl license. Duck stamp sales help finance many projects that benefit ducks and geese. Since the duck stamp program began in 1980, thousands of acres of waterfowl habitat have been created through duck stamp revenues.

“This is really much more than an art contest,” said Micah Holmes, information supervisor for the Wildlife Department. “When waterfowl hunters purchase that stamp, they are doing their part in conserving wildlife and preserving the sport of hunting. Stamp collectors can support the cause as well, since the stamps always feature stunning and unique artwork that’s worth adding to a collection.”

Artwork may be of acrylic, oil, watercolor, scratchboard, pencil, pen and ink, tempera or any other two-dimensional media. Photographs are not eligible. The illustration must be horizontal, six and a half inches high and nine inches wide. It must be matted with white mat board nine inches high by 12 inches wide with the opening cut precisely six and a half inches by nine inches. Artwork may not be framed or under glass, but acetate covering should be used to protect the art. All artists must depict the white fronted goose, and any habitat appearing in the design must be typical of Oklahoma. Artists also can include a retriever dog in their entry, as long as the white fronted goose is the featured element of the artwork.

Complete entry guidelines can be found online at the all new wildlifedepartment.com.

Entries should be sent to the Duck Stamp Competition Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Fed Ex, UPS and other ground deliveries should be sent to 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

Entries will be judged on anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for printing. The winner and honorable mentions will appear in a future issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine.

A non-refundable entry fee of $20 (cash, money order or cashier’s check) must accompany each entry. No entries will be accepted after 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31.

The winning artist will receive a purchase award of $1,200, courtesy of Tulsa-based conservation group NatureWorks, and the winning entry will become the sole and exclusive property of the Wildlife Department.

A selection of waterfowl stamp art from previous years is currently on display in the lobby of the Wildlife Department headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln, in Oklahoma City.

Prints of the winning art are no longer made, but a small number of limited edition prints from previous years are available for $135. To order, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

For more information about the contest call (405) 521-3856. For a complete list of contest rules, log on to wildlifedepartment.com/duckstamprules.htm.