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NEWS BITS
Arizona Waterfowl Stamp Program Breaks New Ground With Two Stamps
Artwork selected from award winning artist
and elementary school student.
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There are three great reasons to pick up a 2009 Arizona Waterfowl Stamp.
The reasons start with the beautifully detailed and life-like rendition of a pair of hooded mergansers by the 2006-07 Federal Duck Stamp winner Sherrie Russell Meline.
Meline is well known for her impeccably textured feather work, using an acrylic wash, delicately applying layer by layer from a self-mixed color palette. Meline's artwork has graced the face of more than 30 other state and Canadian province duck stamps.
Secondly, for the first time ever, an alternative stamp is available - unofficially deemed the state's junior art duck stamp.
"We created it in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recognize young inspiring artists who are learning about the importance of wetlands and waterfowl conservation through the Federal Junior Duck Stamp program," said Mike Rabe, duck stamp administrator and migratory bird biologist for the department. "It's really a neat thing and I'm glad we are able to do it."
"To be able to recognize the contribution of our Arizona kids in this state category is truly heartwarming and inspiring," said Margot Bissell former Arizona Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator with the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. "Now our young artists have the excitement of a second opportunity to display their conservation and artistic learning's."
Ten-year-old Olivia Raiff, of Scottsdale, has the honors of being the first young amateur artist from the competition to have their artwork featured on the state's annual waterfowl stamp.
"When I got the phone call, it took me awhile to process that I won," said Raiff. "Then I was in shock for a minute. I couldn't think straight when the judges asked me questions. It still seems crazy now."
Raiff, a fifth-grader from Pinnacle Peak Elementary, created an inspiring piece of art of an American widgeon taking flight out of the cattails titled "take-off" using watercolor pencils under the passionate guidance of art teacher, Gay Kohl. Her composition captured the realism of the duck's wings direction at first flight, identified accurate habitat, and incorporated a flock of ducks in the sky off in the distance.
When asked what she liked best about the art program, Raiff added, "I like it all, but my favorite part would be the competition. I always try to add details that would make my picture stand out."
A limited run of 500 of the alternate stamps are available for purchase, but only from the department's headquarters office in Phoenix. Hunters and collectors can chose to purchase one or both of the stamps. Either stamp will validate a general hunting license (along with a federal duck stamp) for the legal take of waterfowl, ducks, and geese during the 2009-10 season.
Lastly, the good news is the money generated from the sale of the state's waterfowl stamp is used to for the conservation of wetlands to benefit Arizona's waterfowl species. When buying either stamp, you are supporting waterfowl conservation. Now in its 22nd year, some of the investments from the program have resulted in amazing resting grounds for wintering sandhill cranes, geese, waterfowl and many other birds and wildlife.
So, if you enjoy wildlife watching, birding or just beautiful wetland landscapes, show your support for wildlife and artists and buy an Arizona Waterfowl Stamp.
The stamps have been ordered and should be in stock at Sam Houston Duck Company shortly. Each stamp is 11.50.
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Maryland Ducks Unlimited Federal Duck Stamp Cocktail Party and Auction
Ducks Unlimited will be hosting an event on October 16, 2009, in conjunction with the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The event will be of the cocktail party type with good food and open bar. The submitted artwork will be there for your viewing pleasure as well as some of the artists themselves. We will be having silent and live auctions with some unique items in them. Ticket price for admission is $50 each.
The Holiday Inn in Greenbelt, MD (very close to the refuge) is offering a discount to those associated with any portion of the contest, including those coming into town for the DU event. In addition, refuge personnel will be arranging tram tours of the refuge earlier in the day if that interests you. For more information visit this link.
Contact: Josh Voelker, Regional Director- Maryland Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
410-827-8185 or e-mail jvoelker@ducks.org
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Seokkyun Hong of Dallas, Texas, won the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest held this past weekend in California at the San Diego Zoo.
The 18-year-old's depiction of a pair of Nene (Hawaiian goose) will be featured on the 2008-2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp. The painting was chosen from 53 entries. |
The oil painting which previously won the Texas State Junior Duck Stamp Contest, was judged the top entry among the Best-of-State entries from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bob and Rita Dumaine, of Sam Houston Duck Co. were honored to serve as judges in the Texas contest, held March 26.
The 2008-2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will make available for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists, and the general public will be released on June 27, 2008, along with the 2008 Federal Duck Stamp (RW75). Proceeds from Junior Duck Stamp sales are used to support environmental education efforts and awards for contest winners.
Lydia Han, age 15, of San Jose, California, took second place with a water-color depicting a pair of ruddy ducks called "Contented Pair." Third place went to Rebekah Nastav, age 17, of Amoret, Missouri for her rendition of a single hooded merganser called “Evening Swim” done in acrylic. Rebekah was also the winner of the 2006 Federal Junior Duck Stamp competition.
The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives a free trip to Washington, D.C., along with their art teacher, a parent, and the state coordinator, to be honored during a First Day of Sale Ceremony held in June. The first-place winner receives a $5,000 award. The second place winner receives $3,000 and the third-place winner receives $2,000. |
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NEW FEDERAL DUCK
AND JUNIOR DUCK STAMP ISSUED
The new Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp have been issued, but your local post
office will likely only carry the self-adhesive ATM pane designed for hunters. Copies of
the sheet stamp ($15) and the junior duck stamp ($5) can be bought from the Philatelic
Sales Division.Without advance notice, the
Dept of the Interior has released 1000 signed souvenir sheets containing one "lick
and stick duck stamp" signed by the artist; price is $20. Also for sale, but on
backorder, is the latest in the series of Artists Cards at $50.
To order stamps and/or any of these special items, call
1-800-stamp24 (800-782-6724).
The annual duck stamp Appreciation Certificate has also
been issued (28,000 printed in color) - these are free, available at federal wildlife
refuges. An Appreciation Certificate is also shipped with
each duck stamp order.
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Artist Signed Souvenir Sheet
 
Please Note: The Postal Service is
sold out of the souvenir sheets and is uncertain about any reprints.
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