2019 Wildlife Artist of the Year Opens for Entries Competitions October 16, 2018 Entries for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2019 closed at 5pm 18 February 2019 – for more information about the competition and 2019 exhibition visit our Wildlife Artist of the Year pages. The hunt is on for the world’s Wildlife Artist of the Year, as the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) officially opens its prestigious annual art competition for 2019. With a top prize of £10,000 and the chance to exhibit in a top London location, the contest attracts hundreds of entries from artists across the globe. Now in its 12th year, the exhibition and related sale has become an eagerly awaited highlight of the art calendar for both artists and art buyers. The main competition is open to amateur and professional artists aged 17 and over in all genres (excluding photography) and offers numerous categories and prizes. New for 2019 is a special class for emerging young artists to express their concern about the impact human beings have on the planet. This ‘Human Impact’ category is open to artists aged 17 to 25 years and costs just £10 to enter, to encourage art students and up and coming artists. “We are always hugely impressed by the incredibly high standard of artwork that is entered into our Wildlife Artist of the Year competition,” said DSWF’s CEO Karen Botha. “The resulting exhibition provides an important showcase for artists around the world to celebrate endangered species and highlight the critical problems they face. “Our Founder David Shepherd was passionate about encouraging the next generation to care about conservation and to nurture young art talent, so our new young artist’s category this year is a fitting way to continue his legacy.” Each year the competition’s top £10,000 prize has been generously supported by a private donor. Along with the £1,000 runner-up and £500 category prizes, the Wildlife Artist of the Year offers artists around the world the chance to win a prestigious accolade. The top prize winner in 2018 was Prague artist Radka Kirby, with her striking painting of saddle-billed storks called ‘Peaceful Place’. Her colourful oil on canvas formed part of an exquisite exhibition of more than 150 shortlisted competition entries in London last May. The seven categories for Wildlife Artist of the Year 2019 are: Animal Behaviour Earth’s Wild Beauty Human Impact (17-25yrs) Into the Blue Urban Wildlife Vanishing Fast Wings, Feathered or Otherwise The annual Wildlife Artist of the Year competition was established by the late, great wildlife artist David Shepherd CBE FRSA (1931 – 2017). The event embodies David’s vision for ‘The Art of Survival’ – using art for wildlife conservation. Since the competition began in 2007, it has attracted more than 10,000 entries and raised more than £1.2m to fund DSWF’s vital work to fight wildlife crime, protect endangered species and engage with communities on the ground across Africa and Asia. Competition entry costs £25 per artwork, with a concessionary rate of £10 for DSWF members and for entry in the Human Impact category. Entry is open until Monday 18 February 2019. For more details on all the categories, how to enter and full terms and conditions, visit our Wildlife Artist of the Year pages. Link copied
