We are back with a bang for the 2025 Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition. Over a thousand beautiful wildlife artworks have been whittled down to a final selection by our incredible judging panel. And it’s now time to discover them for yourself at the Mall Galleries, from 9-13 September. Scroll down for more information about this year’s exhibition, fun interactive events we’re running alongside WAY, and how to plan your visit.
Get a Sneak Peek
Head over to our social channels for early previews of this year’s finalists.
We’re also delighted to bring you a full calendar of WAY workshops and events for September. As well as out prestigious awards night on September 9, for which you can join us virtually on the night.
The 2025 WAY exhibition is free for all to attend and open from 9-13 September at the Mall Galleries, London (see opening times below). This is a fantastic opportunity to see the world’s best wildlife art, ranging from the abstract to dynamic artivism, in person.
We openly welcome and encourage donations, which will directly support the vital conservation work that WAY represents.
Visit Wildlife Artist of the Year
This year we have planned an entire calendar of events for you to enjoy within the beautiful setting of this year’s artwork. From soft pastel art workshops to expert interior design and conservation discussions we’re sure you’ll be able to find something you enjoy! Click to find out more about our upcoming events in conjunction with WAY.
All artwork will be live on our website and available to browse and purchase from 1 September.
With every purchase you will be directly supporting our conservation work across Africa and Asia, with 50% of all artwork proceeds helping fund our ongoing projects.
About Wildlife Artist of the Year
DSWF has been running the now prestigious Wildlife Artist of the Year competition since 2008. David Shepherd OBE, our founder, was an esteemed wildlife artist, and this exhibition is a key part of our heritage, highlighting the beauty, strength and diversity of the natural world, underpinning our ongoing duty and commitment to protect it.
Are you a WAY finalist and looking for more info?
See here for our full FAQ’s
Please enter by completing the Online Entry Form.
If you are unable to enter online we do accept postal entries. Please download the Postal Entry Form here or contact us on way@davidshepherd.org or 01483 272323 and we will send you a form.
Please help us by entering as early as you can in advance of the closing date.
The entry fee is £25 per an artwork for the first two entries, thereafter it is £15 per entry. (There is no limit on the number of entries, but the online form will take a maximum of ten entries in one submission). Entries to the Youth Exclusive (15 – 19 years) category cost £15 per entry.
Important note. Please submit all the artworks you are entering at the same time if you wish to qualify for the discounted entry fee. If you wish to enter more than ten artworks, please enter your first ten via the online form and then contact us at way@davidshepherd.org and we will help you with any additional entries.
Entries will open from 12:00pm GMT on the 6 January 2025 and run until 23:59 on 27 March 2025.
Whether you are a long-term participant, an established artist, or an avid amateur, DSWF encourages you to create a work to celebrate nature. Entries to the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 competition are open to artists over the age of 15 years on the entry closing date of the competition (27 March). Artists aged between 15 -19 years at the closing date will be entered into the Youth Exclusive category.
All artists shortlisted by our expert judging panel are invited to exhibit and sell their artworks as part of our annual exhibition which will be held at the Mall Galleries, London, running from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 September 2025. The online exhibition will open on the DSWF website one week before the live exhibition on Monday 1 September at 12pm.
Prizes include £10,000 for the overall winner (including a £5,000 conservation donation to a DSWF project of the winner’s choice), £2,000 for the runner-up (including a £1,000 conservation donation to a DSWF project of the winner’s choice) and category prizes of £500 each.
Please carefully read the Terms and Conditions before entering the competition as they include important information about eligibility and the entry, judging and exhibition processes. Please use our FAQs for guidance. If you have any further questions about your entry which is not covered by the FAQs, please email the DSWF team at way@davidshepherd.org.
Interested in sponsoring Wildlife Artist of the Year?
