Press releases may contain information regarding programs, policies, regulation, rules, or fees of DWR and are current at the date of release. Information beyond that date is subject to change. Please contact DWR for further inquiries.
You’re Invited: 2024 Restore The Wild Artwork Exhibition to be Held At Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center
Richmond, VA — The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) invites the public to join them in celebrating the winners and entries of the 2024 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition at a special reception from 6–8 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024 at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center in Richmond.
For the 2024 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition, DWR welcomed artists to create and submit an original piece of art focused on the Eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius putorius) and young forest habitat. 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. DWR received more than 70 entries across the four categories. All the entries will be hanging in the exhibition, and the winners will be announced during the opening night reception on March 8.
The Eastern spotted skunk is a relative of the very commonly seen striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), but a different creature altogether. While the striped skunk has continuous white stripes extending down its body, the Eastern spotted skunk’s white shows up as broken stripes, or distinct blotches, along its body. Spotted skunks are also smaller than the striped, reaching a maximum weight of one to two pounds. In Virginia, Eastern spotted skunks are resident in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and west of that area. The species prefers young forest habitat—hardwood forests with dense understory growth, probably to provide protection from predators. They’ve been known to den in tree cavities and in underground burrows. Eastern spotted skunks are listed as a Tier 4 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan.
A panel of judges from DWR and other conservation organizations or artists deemed appropriate by the DWR will judge all submitted art and declare winners in the Natural History, Artistic Expression, Youth 11–16, and Youth 10 and Under categories, as well as 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 2024 and to provide gifts to Restore the Wild members. The exhibition is open from March 8–29 for viewing by the public. DWR and partners look forward to seeing you there!
- Opening Night Reception: Friday, March 8, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This event is open to the public. Winners of the competition will be announced. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
- Dates: Friday, March 8 – Friday, March 29
- Location: Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227
- Hours: Open to the public Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
We hope to see you there and that you enjoy the exhibition!