W. Va. agency seeks artwork for 2012 wildlife calendar

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section is requesting original wildlife art for the 2012 edition of the award-winning WVDNR Wildlife Calendar.

The deadline for submission of artwork is Feb. 15. A high-resolution electronic image or a 35-mm color slide of each entry must be submitted by this date. Artists may send in multiple entries.

Topics

Artists are encouraged to submit paintings of a wide variety of wildlife topics. These may depict popular game and fish species or feature the state’s diverse array of wildlife. Paintings depicting lesser-known animals such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, small mammals as well as nongame fish are also encouraged.

Artists are reminded that the calendar format is horizontal with measurements of 14 inches by 11 inches and this ratio should be kept in mind when creating paintings. Paintings not chosen in previous years may be resubmitted.

Prizes

A $100 prize is awarded for every month’s painting and $500 for the cover. Paintings are chosen based on overall composition and quality, along with anatomical and contextual accuracy. The quality of the electronic image or submitted slide is very important for judging the artwork.

The 2011 West Virginia Wildlife Calendar, featuring a perched adult bald eagle on the cover, is available at WVDNR district offices, newsstands, convenience marts and retail food stores throughout the state. For a listing of retail stores that sell the calendar visit: www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeCalendar_Retailers.

To obtain 2012 calendar art rules or to purchase a 2011 calendar, please contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Calendar Art, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241 or call 304-637-0245.

Submission

Electronic images should be e-mailed to: Jerry.R.Shinn@wv.gov. To purchase a 2011 calendar, make checks payable to WVDNR in the amount of $14 for each calendar, which includes shipping and handling (W. Va. residents must add 60 cents for tax). Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are also accepted.