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Restore the Wild Artwork Competition

2026 General Rules and Guidelines

We welcome artists to create and submit an original piece of art (not photography) for the 2026 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition! Artwork for Restore the Wild should reflect Restore the Wild’s mission to restore and create natural habitats vital to the survival of Virginia’s wildlife.

The subject focus of 2026’s artwork is the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii). A medium-sized (3 ½ to 4 ½ inches long) bat that lives in bottomland hardwoods and swamps in the Coastal Plain, the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat has enormous ears (about 1 ¼ inches) and large, protruding facial glands that give them an oddly charming face. Their fur is long, soft, and of gray-brown color on their back and white-tipped on their belly. They’re closely related to and very similar in appearance to the Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), which is Virginia’s state bat and found in a few western counties in the state.

The Rafinesque’s big-eared bat roosts in hollow trees and abandoned buildings in Virginia, while the species will also use caves and mines further north in the Appalachian Mountains. A nocturnal species, they eat mostly moths, but also other invertebrates like mosquitoes, flies, and beetles. Primary threats to their populations are loss and degradation of coastal bottomland hardwood forests. Conservation actions are tied to protection and enhancement of bottomland hardwood forests.

Rafinesque’s big-eared bats are listed as a Tier 1a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan. The ranking of 1a indicates the species has critical conservation need and Managers have identified “on the ground” species or habitat management strategies expected to benefit the species; at least some of which can be implemented with existing resources and are expected to have a reasonable chance of improving the species’ conservation status.

A panel of Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) staff, and other conservation organizations or artists deemed appropriate by DWR, will judge all submitted art.

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 esthetic merit
  • inclusion of any mandatory elements or theme
  • overall impression

Read about Restore the Wild Artwork Competition winners from past years and view photos of their winning artwork here:

Important Information for Artists:

Please read the following helpful information based on questions received during previous Restore the Wild Artwork Competitions. Next, please read the Full Rules and Guidelines section below.

  1. Submission form: Every piece of artwork must be accompanied by a submission form (online preferred). Please be prepared to upload a photo of your completed artwork within the online submission form. If an online submission is not possible, artists may request a paper submission form by calling DWR Headquarters (804-367-1000) or fill out the form in person at DWR Headquarters (7870 Villa Park Dr, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
  2. Communication between DWR and artists will occur via email. Artists are expected to read and respond (as appropriate) to email communications from DWR regarding the 2026 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition. The main point of contact for artists will be DWR Outreach Production Assistant Andrea Naccarato (Andrea.Naccarato@dwr.virginia.gov). If an artist requires another form of communication, please notify DWR prior to your submission.
  3. Preparing artwork for physical submission: All submitted artwork must be either mailed or delivered to DWR Headquarters in a sealed box or envelope to ensure artwork will be protected during transport to the exhibition venue.
  4. For artists who plan to deliver their artwork in person: A forecast of severe weather may force an unexpected closure of DWR Headquarters during the submission period. Please visit the DWR Offices page for notification of any unexpected closures or to view normal operating hours.
  5. Return shipping: Artists may include a prepaid UPS return shipping label with their physical artwork submission. After the exhibition, DWR will return any artwork that was submitted with a prepaid UPS return shipping label. Unfortunately, DWR cannot return artwork using stamps or other shipping methods.
  6. Submission deadline: All artwork must be physically received by DWR Headquarters by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2026 (or postmarked by Saturday, February 1, 2026). Every artwork submission must be physically received at DWR Headquarters by the above deadline to be considered for judging and exhibition. Any artwork that is submitted online only (without any artwork physically received by DWR) will not be eligible for judging or exhibition.
  7. After the exhibition: All artists who submit artwork to the 2026 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition must retrieve their artwork within one month after the conclusion of the exhibition.

Full Rules and Guidelines:

Submit Your Entry Online
  1. Restore the Wild Artwork Competition judges and their immediate relatives are ineligible to submit entries.
  2. Any artistic style or medium accepted, except for photography, but it must be two-dimensional art, able to hang on a wall. Design may also include DWR’s Restore the Wild logo (file available here), but this is not required.
  3. Each submission must be an original work of the artist’s own creation. While photographs and published images may be used as references, the work submitted must be original and not a copy.
  4. Artists may submit artwork to one or two of the following categories:
    • Artistic Expression (no age restriction) – The artist’s creative interpretation of Rafinesque’s big-eared bat and their habitat.
    • Natural History Illustration (no age restriction) – 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. Rafinesque’s big-eared bat must be the dominant feature or obvious focus of the design and be anatomically accurate. It should also be noticeably larger than any other elements. Artists are encouraged to include other wildlife species that may be found in the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat’s habitat, but again, the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat should be the primary focus. Any other wildlife species depicted should be of those native to Virginia and relevant to the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat’s natural habitat.
    • Youth Categories: 1) Ages 10 and under, and 2) Ages 11–17 – Youth artists should create scenes depicting the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat in its natural habitat and celebrating Restore the Wild’s mission to restore and create natural habitats vital to the survival of Virginia’s wildlife. The Rafinesque’s big-eared bat must be the dominant feature in the design. The species should be noticeably larger than any other elements. Artists are encouraged to include other wildlife species that may be found in the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat’s habitat, but again, the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat should be the primary focus. Any other wildlife species depicted should be of those native to Virginia and relevant to Rafinesque big-eared bat habitat.
  5. Each artist may submit no more than two original works and are limited to one entry per category: Adults may submit entries in Natural History Illustration and Artistic Expression; Youth may submit to their Youth age group and either Artistic Expression or Natural History Illustration.
  6. Artists should be prepared to submit the following information about their artwork on the submission form:
    • Artwork title – 50-character limit. The title should be descriptive and unique to the individual artwork (more than the name of the subject species).
    • Artwork medium – Artists must describe the medium used to create the piece (e.g. graphite, acrylic, digital, etc.) and must declare if artificial intelligence (AI) was used at any point of the creation.
    • Dimensions (length x width) and description of any matting or framing. If artwork is being submitted on paper (e.g. Youth entries), please glue or otherwise adhere artwork to a piece of heavy cardstock.
    • Exhibition – Artists will indicate whether their artwork will be 1) for display only, 2) for sale during the exhibition, or 3) eligible for silent auction to raise funds for DWR’s Restore the Wild Program at the opening reception.
    • After the exhibition – Artists will choose either to pick up artwork or provide a prepaid UPS label for return shipping.
    • Youth submissions must provide both the artist’s name and an adult guardian’s name and contact information.
  7. Artwork specifications: Artwork must be two-dimensional and no bigger than 20 inches tall and 20 inches wide (including matting and/or frame). Signatures are not permitted on the front of the artwork.
  8. Artwork preparation for display: Artwork must be ready to hang on the wall. If framed, it must have a wire. If matted, it will be hung with clips and/or magnets. If framed, please do NOT use glass or clear plastic, as we need to be able to photograph your work without glare. If artwork is on paper without matting or a frame (e.g. Youth entries), please glue or otherwise adhere the artwork to heavy cardstock.
  9. 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.
  10. 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 minor damage (e.g. dings, creases, indentations) caused in the process of the exhibition or in transport.
  11. Artwork for sale: It is the artist’s choice whether the work is listed for sale during the exhibition. If it is for sale, the sales transaction will occur entirely between the buyer and the artist. Neither the exhibition venue nor DWR will process the sale or take any commission. Whether the work is for sale or not, it must remain on display until the conclusion of the exhibition.
    • 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 exhibition.
    • Sales for professional artists may be facilitated through the artist’s sales representative.
    • Sale of any Youth entries must be facilitated by the artist’s adult guardian.
    • If artwork sells, the artist is welcome to notify DWR of the sale and request a “Sold” sticker to be placed on the artwork.
  12. Silent auction: Artists who are NOT selling their artwork may indicate on the submission form that their artwork may be selected as a silent auction item for the opening reception of the 2026 Restore the Wild Artwork Exhibition. DWR may select a limited number of pieces of artwork for the silent auction. If an artist’s artwork is not selected for the silent auction (e.g. due to limited space), the artist will be given the opportunity to list their artwork for sale instead. Artwork that is included in the silent auction will remain on view through the end of the exhibition. Winners of silent auction items will receive communication from DWR regarding pick-up or shipping of their item(s).
  13. 2026 Exhibition: All selected artwork will be displayed in The Gallery at Main Street Station, 1500 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219, from Friday, March 6 until Sunday, March 29. On Friday, March 6, there will be a public opening reception, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thereafter, the exhibition will be open to the public daily, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  14. After the exhibition: Artwork may be collected by the artist during take-down of the exhibition at The Gallery at Main Street Station on Monday, March 30; or at a later date from DWR Headquarters (7870 Villa Park Drive, Henrico, VA 23228) during business hours (9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri). Further details will be provided to artists via email.
    • All artists who submit artwork to the 2026 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition will be required to retrieve their artwork within one month after the conclusion of the exhibition. DWR cannot store artwork after the pick-up deadline. Any artwork not picked up by the deadline will be discarded at DWR’s sole discretion.
  15. All entries must be received by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2026. Entries postmarked by February 1, 2026 will also be accepted.

Winning Artworks:

  1. One winner will be selected from each category (Artistic Expression, Natural History Illustration, Youth Ages 10 and Under, and Youth Ages 11–17).
  2. Additionally, we will be selecting two pieces of art, one to be used as a Restore the Wild sticker and one to be used as a fine art print, to help promote Restore the Wild in 2026 and to provide gifts to Restore the Wild members.
  3. New in 2026 – People’s Choice Award. Visitors to the opening reception of the 2026 Restore the Wild Artwork Exhibition will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork! More details to come.
  4. Winners will be announced at the opening reception on Friday, March 6. 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 2026 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
  5. Pieces selected for the 2026 exhibition will be at the discretion of the DWR Restore the Wild Artwork Competition Panel.

Shipping Instructions:

  1. Artists must include the title of work, artist’s name, category entered, and confirmation code that was supplied when you submitted your form both on the outside of the packaging and on the back of the artwork itself.
  2. Artists may ship to our physical address or PO Box (details below).
  3. Artwork may be dropped off at DWR Headquarters in Henrico, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Artwork must be submitted in a sealed box or envelope and properly labeled.
  4. Artists not planning to pick up their art must include return shipping with their entries. This shipping must be in the form of a pre-paid UPS shipping label (US Postal Service and FedEx are NOT acceptable shipping methods). Create a UPS shipping label (or find a local UPS shipping location). Artists providing UPS return labels must write their entry number(s) on the label.
  5. Artists expecting return shipping should ship in a box that is new or otherwise in good condition. Including any specific re-packaging instructions is welcomed.
  6. Please notify DWR of any changes to your return address by emailing Andrea.Naccarato@dwr.virginia.gov. If artwork is not picked up or does not have pre-paid postage provided, artwork will not be returned. Please note that due to the volume of artwork received and the need to carefully pack and re-ship, the return of artwork via shipping may be delayed. Please do NOT include extra packing material for re-shipping.

Mailing Address for Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources:

Restore the Wild Art: Attention – Andrea Naccarato
P.O. Box 90778
7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400
Henrico, VA 23228

Physical Address:

7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228

Questions? Contact:

Andrea Naccarato, DWR Outreach Production Assistant
Email: Andrea.Naccarato@dwr.virginia.gov
DWR Headquarters: 804-367-1000