Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : December 19, 2006

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Curtis Taylor , Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

DNR Seeks Paintings for 2008 Wildlife Calendar

Your artwork featuring a wildlife subject may be part of the 2008 West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Calendar. The Wildlife Resources Section of DNR is requesting original wildlife art and related outdoor scenes for the 2008 edition of the award winning DNR Wildlife Calendar, according to Curt is I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of DNR. The deadline for submission of artwork this year is February 16, 2007 . A 35-mm color slide of each entry is preferred and must be submitted by this date. A high resolution, electronic image is also acceptable. Artists may send in more than one entry.

“This is our 23rd calendar and it offers a wonderful opportunity for artists to feature their work. Besides distribution in West Virginia , our calendars are enjoyed by people all over the United States and are sent to countries around the world,” Taylor said.

Artists are encouraged to submit paintings of a wide variety of wildlife topics. These may depict hunting, fishing, landscapes, or feature the state’s diverse ar ray of wildlife and plants. Paintings depicting lesser-known animals such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, herons, insects, weasels, small mammals (including mice, shrews and moles) as well as nongame fish are all encouraged. Nearly any rendering of some aspect of West Virginia ’s natural resources - animals, plants, landscapes, waterways, and hunting/fishing experiences can qualify.

Artists are reminded that the calendar format is horizontal with new, larger measurements of 14 inches by 11 inches and they should keep this ratio in mind when creating paintings. The quality of the slide is very important for judging the artwork since the judges only have these slides to choose from. Paintings not previously chosen may be resubmitted. Just because the artwork is not selected one year doesn’t mean it will not be selected in the future. Often there are several submissions of a particular species or season and only one can be used in a given year.

“We encourage all artists, especially those from West Virginia , to submit their work,” said Taylor . Paintings are chosen based on overall composition and quality, along with anatomical and contextual accuracy. A $50 prize is awarded for every month’s painting and $250 for the cover.

The 2007 West Virginia Wildlife Calendar, featuring a close-up of a grazing buck on the cover, is currently available at newsstands, convenience marts and retail food stores throughout the state, although supplies are rapidly disappearing. To obtain 2008 calendar art rules or purchase a 2007 calendar, please contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Calendar Art, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241: phone (304) 637-0245 or e-mail: joycutright@wvdnr.gov. Make checks payable to WVDNR in the amount of $9 for each calendar, which includes shipping and handling (WV residents add $.48 for tax). Visa, MasterCard and Discover are also accepted.