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DWR Announces Winners of 2025 Restore the Wild Art Competition
More than $3,000 raised in art auction and raffle
Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is pleased to announce the winners of the fifth annual Restore the Wild Art Competition. More than 90 pieces were submitted in four categories including, Natural History, Artistic Expression, Youth 11-17, and Youth 10 and Under. There was also art selected for the 2025 Restore the Wild sticker and fine-art print. The subject for the 2025 competition was the Atlantic sturgeon.
- Natural History: “The Search for Snails” by Autumn Haynes
- Artistic Expression: “Canned Wild Sturgeon” by Larry Schmehl
- Youth 11–17: “The Sturgeon of Steel Ascends” by Ayelu Mason
- Youth 10 and Under: “Cute Little Fishy” by Billie Kendrick
- Fine-Art Print: “Time to Rock and Roll” by Whitney Hixenbaugh
- Restore the Wild Sticker: “There He Lay in All His Armor” by Kristin Reed
On Friday, March 7, artists, friends, family, and conservation enthusiasts were welcomed to the Gallery at Main Street Station for opening night of the exhibition. Thanks to the generosity of several artists, DWR was able to add a new aspect to the opening night festivities – a silent auction. Including both the Restore the Wild sticker and fine-art print winners, 18 artists donated their work to the auction. These plus several other DWR exclusive items helped raise more than $2,700 for the Restore the Wild initiative. Guests were also able to purchase raffle tickets for a private Sturgeon Viewing Tour provided by Discover the James. This raffle raised an additional $565 for Restore the Wild.
Memberships and donations to Restore the Wild provide funds directly for DWR habitat projects that benefit Virginia Species of Greatest Conservation Need. If you would like to become a Restore the Wild member and support these efforts, please visit dwr.virginia.gov/restore-the-wild.
All art will remain on display at the Gallery at Main Street Station through Sunday, March 30.
