2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition Rules & Guidelines

The American woodcock has been selected as the subject of the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition! The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is a forest-dwelling bird with mottled brown-and-gray feathers that help it blend in among grasses and fallen leaves. These birds of young forests and shrubby fields are known for their distinctive walk, in which they rock their body forward and backward while keeping their head still. Much of their time is spent poking their sensitive bill into moist soil, searching for earthworms to eat. During breeding season, males perform spiraling flight displays known as “sky dances.” Learn more and view photos and video of American woodcock in their species profile!

• Natural History Illustration (all ages) – Artists should create realistic scenes depicting the species in its natural habitat. Judges will be looking for a piece of art that celebrates Virginia’s wild spaces and Restore the Wild’s mission to restore and create natural habitats vital to the survival of Virginia’s wildlife. The American woodcock must be the dominant feature or obvious focus of the design and be anatomically accurate. Although the American woodcock must be noticeably larger than any other elements, artists are encouraged to include other wildlife species that may be found in the American woodcock’s habitat. Any other wildlife and/or plant species depicted should be native to Virginia.
• Artistic Expression (all ages) – Artists may use broad creativity, imagination, and artistic interpretation in their depiction of the American woodcock and its habitat. While the American woodcock and its habitat should be recognizable, creative use of colors and whimsical elements are welcomed.
• Youth Ages 10 & Under and Youth Ages 11–17 – Youth artists may follow the above guidelines for either Natural History Illustration or Artistic Expression. Youth artists are encouraged, but not required, to submit to their Youth age category.

• All artwork created and submitted to the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition shall be appropriate for a general audience (including children). DWR reserves the right to refuse to exhibit any artwork deemed inappropriate.
• Each submission must be an original work of the artist’s own creation. Artwork created by artificial intelligence (AI) is not allowed. Artists who use AI in the research/planning phase of their artistic process shall explain on their submission form how AI was used. Photographs and published images may be used as references, but the artwork submitted must be original and not a copy.
• Dimensions: Artwork must be two-dimensional and ready to hang on a wall. The maximum dimensions for exhibition-ready artwork (including any matting and/or frame) are 20 inches tall by 20 inches wide.
• Medium: Two-dimensional artwork composed of a variety of media (except photography) is welcome for submission. Types of media may include, but are not limited to, paints, ink, colored pencil, graphite, crayon, markers, fiber, metal, wood, and mixed media. Unfortunately, three-dimensional artwork, such as pottery and sculpture, that cannot hang flat against a wall will not be accepted. (Photographers are encouraged to submit to the 2027 Virginia Wildlife Photography Showcase!)
• Design may include DWR’s Restore the Wild logo (file available here), but this is not required.
• Artist signatures are not permitted on the front of the artwork.
• Preparation for Display: All artwork submissions must be prepared for display at the online submission phase.
  • Artwork shall be executed and constructed in such a way to remain intact for several months (including transport, storage, and display). Artwork shall be safe to handle with no sharp edges (typical frame corners are acceptable).
  • Artwork submissions must be ready to hang on a wall. Matting and/or framing is encouraged, but is not required.
    • If artwork is framed, there must be a secure hanging mechanism strongly affixed to the back of the artwork. Examples include sawtooth hangers or a hanging metal wire stretched between D-rings.
    • If framed, please do NOT use glass or clear plastic, as we need to be able to photograph your artwork without glare.
    • If matted (without a frame) or on posterboard/foamboard, the art piece may be hung with clips, magnets, and/or adhesive discs.
    • If artwork is on paper without matting or a frame (e.g. Youth entries), please glue or otherwise adhere the artwork to heavy cardstock.
• Labeling: Please label the back of your artwork with the artist’s name, submission category, and artwork title. The artwork title should highlight something unique about your artwork (more than simply “American woodcock”). Titles may be a maximum of 50 characters.
• Photograph both the front and back of the artwork (showing the artwork is labeled and ready to hang). These photos will be uploaded with the online submission form.

It is the artist’s choice whether the artwork is listed for sale during the exhibition.

For artwork that will be for sale:

• Artists will declare in the submission form if artwork will be for sale, provide the selling price, and share artist contact information that may be displayed in the gallery during the exhibition.
• The sales transaction and exchange of artwork will occur entirely between the buyer and the artist. Neither the exhibition venue nor DWR will process the sale or take any commission.
• Sale of any Youth entries must be facilitated by the artist’s adult guardian.
• All artwork must remain on display through the entirety of the exhibition, even if the artwork sells prior to the conclusion of the exhibition.

Artists may choose for their artwork submission to be eligible for a silent auction to benefit DWR’s Restore the Wild fund. DWR may select a limited number of submissions for silent auction. Artwork accepted for the silent auction will remain on display throughout the exhibition. Interested artists may indicate their submission’s eligibility within the online submission form.

One submission per artist may be entered into the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition. Please click on your chosen submission category to begin!

Deadline: Friday, January 8, 2027, 5 p.m.

• Depending on the number of online submissions and due to limited display capacity in the exhibition space, DWR may invite a limited number of artists to submit their physical artwork.
• Artists should expect to receive a notification email in mid-January 2027 regarding physical artwork submission. Invited artwork may be mailed or dropped off at DWR Headquarters. Artists wishing to have their artwork shipped back to them after the exhibition should include a prepaid UPS return label. A limited number of pick-up dates will also be scheduled. More details will be provided to invited artists.
• Deadline for DWR to receive invited physical artwork (by mail or in person): Friday, January 29, 2027

A panel of DWR staff and other conservation organizations or artists deemed appropriate by DWR will judge all physically submitted artwork.

Judges will evaluate entries according to the criteria outlined in these rules and guidelines including, but not limited to:

• accuracy of the subject species and its habitat
• composition and aesthetic merit
• inclusion of any mandatory elements or themes
• overall impression

Pieces selected for the 2027 Restore the Wild exhibition will be at the discretion of the DWR Restore the Wild Artwork committee and/or judging panel.

Submission Category Winners:

• The judging panel will select one winner from each submission category:
  • Natural History Illustration
  • Artistic Expression
  • Youth Ages 10 and Under
  • Youth Ages 11–17

Restore the Wild Fine Art Print and Sticker Winners:

• Additionally, the Restore the Wild committee may select up to two additional pieces of art to be reproduced as the Restore the Wild fine art print and sticker, respectively. The Restore the Wild fine art print and sticker help promote the Restore the Wild program and may be provided as gifts to Restore the Wild members.
• The winners described above will be announced at the opening reception of the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Exhibition at Main Street Station, Richmond, VA on Friday, March 5, 2027. All winners will receive the following recognitions:
  • Their winning artwork posted on Facebook and Instagram with the announcement of the artist as a winner of the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition, either tagging them or including a link to their website
  • A short article about the artist and their work in DWR Notes from the Field email newsletter, which will include a link to their website
  • A press release
  • Recognition of the artist’s accomplishment to the DWR board and the agency
  • An announcement of the winning art selection in Virginia Wildlife magazine

• Visitors to the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Exhibition will have the opportunity to vote for TWO of their favorite art pieces, one art piece created by an adult artist and one created by a youth artist!
• Eligibility: Any artwork on view in the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Exhibition besides the winners will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award.
• Theme: Voters should select their favorite artwork submissions that also embody the meaning of “Restore the Wild.”

• Venue: The Gallery at Main Street Station (1500 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219)
• Dates: Friday, March 5 – Sunday, March 28, 2027
• Opening reception: Friday, March 5, 6 – 8 p.m.
• Gallery Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Online submissions open: Thursday, October 1, 2026
• Online submissions close: Friday, January 8, 2027, 5 p.m.
• Invitations to submit physical artwork: Mid-January 2027
• Artwork drop-off at DWR Headquarters (by invitation only): Late January 2027 (specific dates will be emailed to invited artists)
• Deadline for all invited artwork to be received by DWR: Friday, January 29, 2027
• Exhibition Opening Reception: Friday, March 5, 2027, 6 – 8 p.m. (details TBA)
• Exhibition: Friday, March 5-Sunday, March 28, 2027, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• DWR may reproduce images of the artwork. DWR is authorized to sell, distribute, display, reproduce, or otherwise use said images at its discretion. Artworks selected for use as the Restore the Wild sticker or fine art print may have the Restore the Wild graphic/text added to it, but not in a way that will obscure any major portion of the artwork.
• While every effort will be made to handle the artwork with care and protect it, neither DWR nor the exhibition venue will be held accountable for damage or loss caused in the process of the exhibition or in transport.
• Any artwork that is not arranged for return or reclaimed by the artist will be discarded at DWR’s sole discretion.

Physical Address:

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Headquarters Office
7870 Villa Park Dr Suite 400
Henrico, VA 23228

Phone:

804-367-1000 (General customer service line)

Questions about the 2027 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition? Please fill out the contact form below: