1. sports
2. hunting and shooting

judges have viewed the entry, they will score the entry
between 1 and 9. The sum of these scores becomes the
entry’s Round Three score. The entry scoring highest
becomes the winner of the competition. In the event of
a tie for first, Round Three will be repeated for those top
scoring entries until a single winner is determined.
All art works will be scored on the following criteria:
1. Level and accuracy of detail in all aspects of the
anatomy of the waterfowl.
2. Appropriateness, accuracy, and detail in depiction of
the habitat.
3. Attractiveness and creativity of the composition,
regarding spatial balance, lighting, and harmony of
subject and background.
4. Visual appeal and suitability for reproduction at both
the print and stamp scales.
Eligibility
This art competition is open to all Artists who are 18
years of age or older, except employees of the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, members of
the Washington Tourism Development Authority, volunteers for the Commission or WTDA, and members of
their immediate families.
Entry/Return Procedures and Deadlines
1. Entries must be prepared and shipped to the specific
requirements listed. Entries must be received by 5
p.m. on January 23, 2015 at the Washington Tourism Development Authority, 108 Gladden Street,
Washington, NC 27889. Judging of the entries will
take place on January 26, 2015 beginning at 10 a.m.
at the Washington Civic Center, 110 Gladden Street,
Washington, NC 27889. The public is invited and
encouraged to attend.
Washington Tourism Development Authority
In Coordination With
The North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission
2. Entries will not be considered complete without a
signed Artist Agreement (attached) and a $50 entry fee
(Payable to ECWAF) received at the time of the entry
submission. Please attach a copy of the agreement to
your entry fee.
Invites You to Enter the
3. If the artist would like to have the entry returned,
FedEx or UPS parcel service is recommended.
A prepaid mailing label must be included which
should include prepaid shipping insurance. The
cost of return shipping from Washington, NC, U.S.
Post Office tends to be more costly than delivery TO
Washington. Do not send stamps. If return postage
is not included, the entry will not be returned.
Annual
4. Entries may be sent via U.S. Mail or by Express Parcel Service. Senders are advised to obtain adequate
shipping insurance on their entries.
State of North Carolina
Waterfowl Conservation Stamp
Competition
January 26, 2015
Additional Information
For more information on the East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival and the North Carolina Waterfowl Conservation
Stamp Competition, contact the Washington Tourism Development Authority at 800-999-3857, via email ECWAF@
littlewashingtonnc.com, or online at www.ecwaf.com.
East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival
P.O. Box 1765, Washington, NC 27889
As Part of the
East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival and
North Carolina Decoy Carving Championships
February 6-8, 2015 • Washington, North Carolina
North Carolina Waterfowl Conservation Stamp
Art Competition Rules and Procedures
Background
Specific Requirements
In 1983, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission established the North Carolina Waterfowl
Conservation Stamp and Print Program. The purpose of
the program is to generate revenue for waterfowl conservation in the state of North Carolina to be used for
acquiring and improving waterfowl habitat. Proceeds
from the sale of stamps and prints are designated for the
Commission’s waterfowl fund, which has raised more
than $4.2 million since its inception.
Each year the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will
specify five eligible species/habitat for the competition.
After winning, a species will be removed and will be
replaced by a new one the following year.
For 2015, the five eligible species/habitats are:
1. Tundra Swan
In North Carolina, tundra swans are primarily located
in coastal sounds, rivers, lakes and managed waterfowl
impoundments. They are found in extremely large numbers on
several coastal lakes including Lake Mattamuskeet, Pungo Lake
and Lake Phelps. Swans are also readily observed feeding in the
numerous agricultural fields in the area, principally winter wheat.
Irrespective of final habitat background chosen, it must resemble
that found in North Carolina where tundra swans are located. If
an agricultural setting is chosen, the topography is flat.
The money is used to help North Carolina meet its
financial obligations in implementing the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement
with goals to restore waterfowl populations on the North
American continent. These funds have also been used to
support Canada Geese research and to purchase equipment used to manage wetlands.
2. Black Duck
Although highest densities of black ducks are found in coastal
areas, black ducks may be found throughout North Carolina. In
coastal North Carolina, large numbers of black ducks utilize
brackish marsh dominated by black needlerush and cordgrass.
In coastal areas, black ducks also may be found in beaver ponds,
bottomland hardwood wetlands and cypress-water tupelo swamps.
In central and western North Carolina, black ducks are typically
located in beaver ponds and bottomland hardwood wetlands.
Objectives
1. To conduct a national competition for obtaining the
highest quality work of art that will have broad appeal to art collectors.
2. To create waterfowl prints and stamps from the winning piece of art and make available for art collectors
and waterfowl enthusiasts.
3. Brant
In North Carolina, Atlantic brant are found in the open waters
of Pamlico Sound, primarily near Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke.
This type of habitat generally lacks in distinguishable features
other than the vastness of the waters of Pamlico Sound and the
adjacent “Outer Banks”. Shoals may be slightly exposed at low
tide. The only other distinguishable features include several small
islands of sparse vegetation where brant may congregate and
hunting blinds typical of the area.
Synopsis of Competition
The North Carolina Waterfowl Conservation Stamp
Competition will be held on January 26, 2015, at the
Washington Civic Center in Washington, North Carolina.
The competition will be open to the public and all artists
are welcome to attend and view the judging. The winning artist will receive $7,000.00 in prize money plus
$300.00 in travel allowance. The top five pieces will be
unveiled at the Sponsor Reception of the East Carolina
Wildlife Arts Festival and North Carolina Decoy Carving
Championships on Thursday, February 5, 2015. The top
five pieces will remain on exhibit throughout the Show
weekend at the Turnage Theater. The North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission will unveil the winning
art from the top five artists.
The following requirements must be adhered to:
9. The winning artist is encouraged to attend the unveiling ceremony, at which time the winning entry will
be signed by the artist. The WTDA will present the
first installment of $3500.00 at this time. The WTDA
will pay up to $300.00 for travel expenses. The winning artist will receive a free booth space at the East
Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival the year following
their win.
1. The design must be a full-color, realistic rendering of
one of the selections from the species list above with
the habitat background specified for that species.
2. The image must be horizontal, 13” x 18” and bear no
signature or other marks that would identify the artist.
Works must be matted in white to outside dimension
of 18” and 23” and should be loosely covered with a
protective overleaf, but must not be framed or covered with glass.
10. Winning artist agrees to sign (1500) prints of this
design which have been prepared and printed by the
NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Final prize
payment will be presented upon receipt of signed
prints.
3. The artist affirms that his/her entry is a drawing of his/
her own creation, neither copied nor duplicated from
previously published art, including paintings, drawings in any other medium, or published photographs;
or from images of any kind previously published on
the Internet.
Judging Criteria
and Selection Procedures
4. There is no restriction on media or substrate, but the
Washington Tourism Development Authority (WTDA)
will not be responsible for damage or deterioration of
pastels or other sensitive, unstable materials.
The winning design will be selected by a panel of five
judges who have expertise in waterfowl biology or artistic
method and expression with at least one judge being a
resident of North Carolina. Judges will be selected by the
Washington Tourism Development Authority. Technical
expertise related to waterfowl species and habitat will be
provided by a wildlife biologist on the staff of the NC
Wildlife Resources Commission and will be appointed
by the Commission.
5. Each artist may enter only one design in the 2015
stamp competition.
6. A form (included in this package) must be affixed to
the back of each entry.
7. All entries must be shipped in sturdy reusable containers. A copy of the entry form should be included
in an envelope with entry fee and prepaid return shipping label securely attached to
shipping container. The WTDA will be held harmless for loss or damage during shipment.
Judging will proceed as follows:
Round One: Entries in numerical order will be presented
successively to each of the five judges for 10-15 seconds.
When all judges have viewed the entry, they will vote
either IN or OUT. Three (3) votes of IN are required for
the entry to proceed to Round Two.
8. The WTDA reserves the right to photograph all
entries for purposes of documentation, promotion,
and education. The winning entry will become the
property of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission
and the winning artist will be paid the sum of seven
thousand dollars ($7,000.00), in two installments.
Call Backs: Each of the five judges may select up to five
(5) entries which did not receive the requisite three IN
votes in Round One to be judged in Round Two.
Round Two: Those entries passing Round One with at
least three IN votes, plus all Call Backs, will be judged in
Round Two. Entries in numerical order will be presented
successively to each of the five judges for 10-15 seconds.
When all judges have viewed the entry, they will score
the entry between 1 and 9, with 9 being highest. The sum
of these scores becomes the entry’s Round Two score.
The top five (5) scores and all entries falling within that
score range will proceed to Round Three.
4. Gadwall
Gadwall are primarily located in coastal areas, but may be
found in a variety of habitats within this area. Habitat background
chosen should be representative of North Carolina and a type
where gadwall are commonly observed. Examples include, but are
not limited to emergent marsh and cypress-water tupelo dominated
millponds.
5. Bufflehead
In North Carolina, bufflehead are more abundant along
the coast than inland. On the coast, typically found in largest
numbers in the larger rivers and estuarine sounds. Found both in
open waters of these areas but also in secluded coves and similar
areas.
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Important Dates
Mailed Entry Deadline: January 23, 2015
Judging: January 26, 2015
Round Three: Those entries scoring within the five high
scores of Round Two will be judged in Round Three.
Entries in numerical order will be presented successively
to each of the five judges for 10-15 seconds. When all
Please read entire brochure for complete
information.
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