If you’re a budding artist and love nature, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is accepting original paintings for its 2022 wildlife calendar. The submission deadline is Feb. 19. Here’s what you need to know about submitting your art.
What kind of artwork is accepted?
Paintings may depict popular game and fish species, or feature the state’s other wildlife such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, small mammals and nongame fish. Paintings that don’t include West Virginia wildlife will not be considered.
If you haven’t been selected in the past, don’t lose heart! Often there are several submissions of a particular species, and only one can be used each year. Paintings not chosen in previous years may be resubmitted. You may submit multiple entries.
Artists who submit a work that is selected receive a $200 prize. If your art is selected for the cover, you’ll receive an additional $500. Paintings are chosen based on overall composition and quality, along with anatomical and contextual accuracy.
Submission guidelines
Art must be in horizontal format with measurements of at least 14 inches wide and 11 inches high. Keep this ratio in mind when creating paintings. To enter, you may submit the original art or an electronic version. Send electronic versions to Jessica.N.Swecker@wv.gov. Mail original art to:
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section
Attention: Wildlife Calendar Art Contest
738 Ward Road, P.O. Box 67
Elkins, West Virginia 26241
If you submit an electronic version of the art, it must be capable of being sized at 14 ½ inches wide by 11 ½ inches high. At least a 300 dpi image is preferred. A high-quality print of an electronic image also may be submitted. You must also complete and submit a wildlife release form, copyright notice form and an intent to enter form.
If your art is selected for the final round of judging, you will need to send original art.
To learn more about submitting art, download our entry rules and application below. You can also contact us or call Jessica Swecker at 304-637-0245.