The 2018-19 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest winning entry, the Green-Winged Teal, by John Denney of Alexander City. / www.outdooralabama.com
MONTGOMERY – Alabama artists are invited to enter the 2018 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest, which opens Dec. 11, 2017. The winning artwork will be featured as the design of the 2019-20 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp. The Alabama stamp is required for all licensed hunters when hunting migratory waterfowl in the state. Revenue from the sale of the stamp is used to purchase, establish or improve migratory waterfowl habitats.
The competition is open to resident Alabama artists only. Only original horizontal artworks depicting a species of North American migratory duck or goose will be eligible. The American Wigeon, Canada Goose and American Green-Winged Teal — depicted in the winning artwork of the three previous years’ contests — are not eligible as the subject for the 2019-20 waterfowl stamp. Entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 9, 2018.
The 2018 contest will take place in conjunction with the annual “Fins, Feathers and Flowers” event at Lakepoint Resort State Park in Eufaula, which runs Feb. 16-18. Similar to Eagle Awareness weekends at Lake Guntersville, Fins, Feathers and Flowers offers a variety of activities for wildlife watchers. The weekend is a cooperative effort of the Alabama State Parks Division and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
All eligible entries will be on display at Lakepoint State Park beginning Friday, Feb. 16. Three judges from the fields of art, ornithology and wildlife conservation will select the winning waterfowl art the following day at 1 p.m. The media and public are invited to attend.
The judging criteria will emphasize uncluttered design suitable for printing as a stamp, anatomical accuracy of the illustrated species and artistic rendering. Close attention must be given to tone and detail, since those aspects are prerequisites for printing artwork as a stamp. Wing and feather construction must be particularly well-defined. Entries may be drawn or painted in any medium. Entries cannot exceed 9 by 12 inches (15 by 18 inches matted).
Contest entry forms are available online at www.outdooralabama.com/waterfowl-stamp-art-contest-rules.
Artists may also receive an entry form by contacting Seth Maddox with the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries at seth.maddox@dcnr.alabama.gov, or by calling 256-437-2788.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.
