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You’re Invited: Inaugural Restore the Wild Art Exhibition To Be Held at Artspace
Richmond, VA — The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has closed the 2023 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition and is inviting you to join them for a special reception on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Artspace in Richmond.
DWR welcomed artists to create and submit an original piece of art (not photography) for the 2023 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition/Exhibition. 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 2023’s artwork is the Eastern Hellbender and clean water.
Eastern Hellbenders are the largest salamanders in North America. They are an aquatic species that prefer to live in clear, healthy, fast-flowing streams and rivers with river bottoms composed of sand, gravel, and abundant large, flat rocks. In Virginia, they are found only in the southwest part of the state and they are listed as a Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan.
A panel of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and other conservation organizations or artists deemed appropriate by the 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
DWR received well over one hundred entries, with the youngest entry age being just 4 years old! The exhibition is open from February 24- March 17, and is open to the public daily. DWR and partners look forward to seeing you there!
- Dates: Friday, February 24th – Friday, March 17th
- Location: Elisabeth Flynn-Chapman Gallery at Artspace, 2833-A Hathaway Road, Richmond, VA 23225
- Hours: Open to the public daily, Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00 noon – 4:00pm
Additionally, we are inviting you to a special event!
Opening Night Reception: Friday, February 24th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm. This event is open to the public. Winners of the competition will be announced. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available for sale.
We hope to see you there and that you enjoy the exhibition!