Press Release

Alabama Artists Encouraged to Enter Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest

September 20, 2006

Alabama artists are encouraged to enter the 2007 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest that opens January 1, 2007. According to Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Director Corky Pugh, the winning artwork will be used as the design for the 2008-09 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp. The competition is open to resident Alabama artists only. Entries will be accepted from January 1 until the February 15 contest deadline.

Contest coordinator David C. Hayden, Assistant Chief of the Wildlife Section, advises artists that entries must not exceed 9 by 12 inches (15 by 18 inches matted). Only original horizontal artworks depicting a species of North American migratory ducks or geese will be eligible. Canada geese, canvasback duck and blue-winged teal – depicted in the winning artwork of three previous year’s contests – are not eligible as subject for the 2007 contest.

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. Entrants may submit a painting or drawing; past contest entries have included works in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, all of which are eligible.

Display of all entries, to which the public will be invited, will be held February 23, 2007, at the Richard Beard Building in Montgomery. Following the showing, three judges from the fields of art, ornithology and wildlife conservation will select the winning waterfowl art.

For contest information and entry forms, contact David Hayden, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, 64 N. Union Street, Room 584, Montgomery, Alabama, 36130; or call 334-242-3469; or download them from www.outdooralabama.com/programs/announce.

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