Sat., March 12, 2016 at 9:00am
Sun., March 13, 2016 at 3:00pm
Holiday Inn
15471 Royalton Rd.
Strongsville, OH
The Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association, a non-profit volunteer organization, is hosting the 39th Annual Show and Sale, Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, March 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, 15471 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, Ohio 44136.
Open to the public, the two-day show brings together a unique blend of decoy collectors, competitive carvers, artists and vendors from throughout Ohio, the United States and Canada who love and appreciate hand-made, one-of-a-kind waterfowl and wildlife art.
Competitors of all ages and skill levels enter collectively over 1,200 beautifully carved and painted duck decoys, shorebirds, song birds, owls, hawks, fish decoys, jigging sticks and flat art. On display for public viewing, the entries are judged and awarded based on rules for each category.
Collectors, whether advanced or just beginning, will find a wide array of vintage decoys, antique fish decoys, hunting memorabilia and waterfowl art available for purchase in room-to-room sales and the exhibition hall.
The show has much to offer to girls and boys of all ages. Emphasis is placed on the art form of the American Decoy and how waterfowl decoys are made by hand, one at a time. Carving and painting demonstrations are held throughout the weekend. This is a good starting point for children to decide how to compete next year.
The show also is the official host for the Ohio Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition. Drawings and paintings from students in kindergarten through grade twelve will be on display and the winner will be selected at the show. The First Place entry is then eligible to compete on the National Level. Several Ohio children in the past few years have gone on to win with their artwork produced on a pictorial stamp produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Junior Duck Stamp Program.
Featured artist this year and inspiration to young painters is Ohio native Christine Clayton, named the winner of the 2015 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp competition. She set a record of being the youngest ever to win the contest at just 20 years of age and the second woman to win since its inception in 1982. Her oil rendition of a stunning pair of wood ducks, entitled “Safe Haven” will grace the 2016 Ohio Duck Stamp, which provides funding for Ohio’s wetlands and conservation programs.
Adult admission is just $5 for the weekend and includes a collector button designed by Matt Clayton. Children under 17 are free. For more information, visit odcca.net.