A Jackson Hole cultural and community rite of Spring, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, is on view May 1 – August 10, 2010 at the National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA).  The show hangs in the Museum’s King Gallery and a virtual exhibition can viewed on line at WildlifeArt.org/Learn/FedJrDuckStamp/.

2010 marks 16 years of Federal Junior Duck Stamp art exhibiting at NMWA.   The contest and subsequent show, lovingly administrated by Sugden Family Curator of Education Jane Lavino, has a mission to awaken children’s knowledge of the connection between wetland conservation, natural resources and, I must add, art.

Pictured top-of-page, left,  is this year’s winning entry, “Flight of the Blue Moon,” by 17-year old Pinedale, Wyoming student Lisanne Fear.    The exhibition features the top 36 ribbon winners out of 610 total Wyoming entries. In addition to the top winners on exhibit, 64 Honorable Mention ribbons were awarded in each of the four age groups (grades K – 3, 4 – 6, 7 – 9, and 10 – 12).

Fear’s oil painting depicts a pair of Pintail ducks, a species common to Wyoming.   For her efforts Fear will have her work representing the state at the National Junior Duck Stamp contest scheduled for Friday, April 23, 2010, at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.  If she wins there, she will win $5,000 and head on to Washington D.C. and also be the artist whose work is the image for the 2010-2011 Junior Duck Stamp.   Buy the stamp for $5.00 and your contribution goes towards supporting conservation education.

There are many more winners in many divisions.   Get a full listing by visiting the Museum’s website, AND by visiting the exhibit itself.  Doing so is a great treat, and a reminder of the talent and heart behind each and every Jr. Duck Stamp competition.  Conservation lay people will gain new knowledge of duck species.   This exhibition educates adults as well as youth.

First through Third place contest winners will be honored at a dinner and awards ceremony at the National Museum of Wildlife Art on Saturday July 24, 2010. For more information, please contact Amy Goicoechea at agoicoechea@wildlifeart.org or call (307) 732-5435. Information for next year’s contest will be posted on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service homepage at DuckStamps.fws.gov.