West Virginia DNR requests wildlife paintings for calendar contest

Charleston, W.Va. –

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announces an opportunity for tri-county area artists, of whom there are many. The agency is seeking submissions of original wildlife art for the 2014 edition of the DNR Wildlife Calendar.

The calendars are distributed across the United States and provide a wonderful opportunity for artists to feature their work. Paintings may depict popular game and fish species, or feature the state’s lesser-known animals such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, small mammals and nongame fish. Paintings are chosen based on overall composition and quality, along with anatomical and contextual accuracy.

Artists are reminded that the calendar format is horizontal, with measurements of 14 inches wide by 11 inches high, and should keep this ratio in mind when creating paintings. An electronic image of each entry capable of being sized at 14 inches wide by 11 inches high at 300 dpi is preferred, but a lower resolution image or 35-mm color slide will be accepted.

A $100 prize is awarded for each painting chosen, with $500 going to the artist whose artwork is picked for the cover. The quality of the electronic image or submitted slide is very important for judging the artwork.

Artists may send in multiple entries. Paintings not chosen in previous years may be resubmitted. The deadline for submitting artwork is February 18, 2013.

To obtain a copy of the rules rules or to purchase a 2013 calendar, please contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Calendar Art, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241, phone 304-637-0245. Electronic images should be emailed to: Jerry.R.Shinn@wv.gov.