March 27, 2000
Contact: Mary Link For Immeditate Release

2001 CONSERVATION STAMP ART RECEPTION
CHEYENNE

In the year 2001, nearly all of the 300,000 hunters and anglers
in Wyoming will be packing white-tailed deer artwork. The competing artwork will be on display at the Wyoming State Museum April 7 - May 29, as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department hosts a show of artwork entered in the 17th annual Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art competition.

The public is invited to attend a free reception with refreshments, 5-8 p.m. April 7 at the State Museum. The reception features the announcement of the top 10 paintings at 6:15 p.m. All paintings, except first place, can be purchased following the announcement.

"We only brought in 113 paintings this year, but are confident that we will have a fine quality winner and great group in the Top 40 for the summer traveling art shows." said Mary Link, art competition coordinator. "The number of entries was probably lower this year due to changes in our rules, including the deadline and only allowing artists to enter one piece."

A panel of four professionals will judge the entries. Judges this year include five-time stamp winner and wildlife artist, Dave Wade of Cokeville, Val Burgess, owner/designer of Burgess Design Group in Sheridan, Doug Jonas, of Mountain West Printing in Denver, Florence McEwin, internationally-shown
contemporary artist and professor of Art and Art Gallery Director at Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs; along with Reg Rothwell, wildlife biologist of the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. serving as a non-voting consultant to the judges.

The art show continues through May 29 during Museum business hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9-4:30 daily. There is no admission fee into the museum. All 113 paintings can also be viewed at the museum, 7 p.m. March 19 during a special public presentation on "White-tailed Deer in Wyoming" by Game and Fish wildlife biologist Harry Harju.

In addition to the $2,500 first prize, the winning painting will be on the 2001 Wyoming Conservation Stamp. Other awards are $1,500 for second place, $1,000 third, $500 fourth and $250 fifth.

-WGFD-