In recent years, a number of “duck stamp” (or, more appropriately, Waterfowl Conservation Stamp) art competitions have disappeared. And, if the stamp art program does still exist, then the art is being commissioned instead. So, it came as some surprise for me to learn that there’s a new annual “duck stamp” art competition that’s being added rather than removed. It’s called the First Annual State of North Carolina Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Competition and, the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild, in coordination with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, is conducting the art competition.
Now, according to the prospectus, this commission has had a stamp and print program in existence since 1983, which has led me to assume that North Carolina’s program is one of those that commissioned the art or, possibly, that the art competition was open only to residents of North Carolina. At any rate, the proceeds have been placed in a special “waterfowl fund” and those funds have been “used to help North Carolina meet its financial obligations in implementing the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement with goals to restore waterfowl populations on the North American continent.” To date, this fund “has raised more than $4.2 million.”
But, as thrilled as I am about this new annual stamp art competition opportunity, I must also admit that I feel that the requirements regarding specie/habitat are incredibly restrictive. Not only has North Carolina specified the eligible species, which many art competitions do, but they’ve also specified the background habitat that each specie must appear in. For example, “Canada Geese in Piedmont pasture” or “Surf scoters flying low along the crest of the ocean waves.” This, in my view, leaves little to the artist’s imagination. But, then again, artists have been given plenty of time for their imaginations to “kick in.” Mail in entries are due January 14th, 2008 and hand delivered entries are due January 27th, 2008. The competition and judging will be open to the public on January 28th, 2008. It will be quite interesting to see the results.
Still, it is a new annual art competition and it is for an important cause. If you are interested in learning more about it, please go to the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild website or you can email them at sgossett@suddenlink.net or call at (252) 946-2897 or (252) 946-9326.
Thank You