Arts & Entertainment

Duck. Duck. Goose...Stamp. Enter the Waterfowl Artwork Contest

Calling all artists. The DEEP's annual migratory bird artwork contest winner will be featured on a stamp that raises funds for conservation.

By Patch Editor Michael Dinan

Artists young and old are invited to enter the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) stamp contest. 

The DEEP is looking for waterfowl artwork, and the winner gets their own "duck stamp."

The winning entry will be featured on the 2015 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp. 

The inaugural contest in 2012 was won by wildlife artist Richard Clifton, whose depiction of three wood ducks now appears on the 2013 Connecticut Duck Stamp. The 2013 contest was won by John Brennan, whose depiction of hooded mergansers will grace the 2014 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp.

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“The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program is a great example of how conservation works – concerned citizens paying into a program that was formed to protect and enhance vital habitat,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen in a release. “By state law, funds generated from the sale of Connecticut Duck Stamps can only be used for the development, management, preservation, conservation, acquisition, purchase, and maintenance of waterfowl habitat and wetlands, as well as the purchase and acquisition of recreational rights or interests relating to migratory birds.”

Contest Details: The contest is open to all artists (including Junior Duck Stamp artists), regardless of residence, age, or experience. Artwork may be in any full-color medium, including acrylic, oil, colored pencil, and watercolor. Images that include a Connecticut scene or landmark are preferred. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, general rendering, and suitability for reproduction.

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Entries must be received in person or postmarked on or before March 15, 2014, to be eligible. Entries should be sent to:

CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Attn: Migratory Game Bird Program
391 Route 32
North Franklin, CT 06254

Full contest rules, judging criteria, and an official entry certificate are available on the DEEP web site or by calling the DEEP Wildlife Division’s Franklin office at (860) 642-7239.


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