Meet our Partners

Now in its fifteenth year, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) Wildlife Artist of the Year is an internationally renowned wildlife art competition attracting entries from some of the most talented artists from across the globe, celebrating the beauty of the natural world. It also plays an important role in raising vital funds and awareness for DSWF’s ground-based conservation partners in Africa and Asia.

DSWF are incredibly grateful to the generous individuals and corporate partners who sponsor this wonderful competition, and who share its passion for utilising art as a tool to protect endangered species from extinction.

We are proud to share with you below the list of this year’s DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year sponsors.

If you are interested in becoming involved with Wildlife Artist of the Year, we have a range of corporate and individual opportunities available and would be delighted to hear from you at [email protected].

DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2023 Sponsors

Category Sponsors

Abstract World

Amanda & Barry Butler

“We first fell in love with Africa on our honeymoon to Zimbabwe over 25 years ago. Supporting DSWF is very important to us as we have seen first-hand the positive impact achieved by the work of the ground-based partners and David Shepherd’s print ‘An African Landscape’ was bought as a reminder of that wonderful trip, starting a collection of many paintings over the years. We enjoy the Wildlife Artist of the Year event very much and are always keen to see what new and breath-taking work will be summitted. The Abstract World category has the opportunity to allow imagination to fly free and we are very excited to see everyone’s different interpretations.”
Amanda & Barry Butler

Animal Behaviour

Gary Hodges

“Animal behaviour is such a wide sweeping category and I absolutely love how each selected artist portrays this in their own unique way. I love all wildlife and the Animal Behaviour category can encompass all of them as created by the many hugely talented artists entering this fabulous, long-running DSWF competition”
Gary Hodges

Artwork by Nicholas Jones ‘Dawn Light, Cape Mercy, Baffin Island 2019’

Earth’s Wild Beauty

Moore Barlow LLP

“At Moore Barlow we believe people are better at whatever it is they’re doing when they care more. That’s true of our lawyers, it’s true of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and it’s certainly true of the artists seeking to capture Earth’s Wild Beauty, which is why we’re proud to be sponsoring this category”
Edward Whittington, Moore Barlow LLP Managing Partner

Environmental Artivism

Derwent

“Based in the beautiful Lake District, Derwent is a global fine art brand with a British heritage dating back to 1832. We actively support projects that protect rivers, wetlands and wildlife, particularly in our wonderful Lake District surroundings. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the newly created ‘DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year’ category for 2023 – making a positive difference to our natural world through art is something we are proud to support. We have always been dedicated to caring for the environment and acting responsibly, and we want to inspire artists across the globe to amplify this message. We very much look forward to seeing the impressive works of art entered into this category.“
– Mike Stranders, Vice President & General Manager, Derwent

Artwork by Joni-Leigh Doran ‘Anyone Out There?’

Facing Extinction

Martin & Emma Leuw

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Facing Extinction category for Wildlife Artist of the Year this year. We’re always keen to work with David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, their work in fighting wildlife crime, protecting endangered species and engaging local communities makes a huge difference in preventing the extinction of these iconic creatures.”
Martin & Emma Leuw

Youth Exclusive Award

Generously supported by a friend of DSWF

Artwork by Jacqueline Bright ‘A Cast of Crabs’

Into the Blue

Paul Traub Associates

“Paul Traub Associates is delighted to  again be supporting  the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation by sponsoring the Wildlife Artist of the Year prize for the ‘Into the Blue’  category. We look forward to seeing the selection of amazing artworks that are shortlisted in   this category, demonstrating the magical  and yet fragile world of water and the precious creatures that live  within it. We are extremely proud that our support will help DSWF continue their vital work protecting endangered species.“
Paul Traub, Paul Traub Associates

Artwork by Matthew Polluk ‘Black Skimmer’

Wings

Martin & Sally Lock

“Silversurfers are proud to be supporting the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) by sponsoring the ‘Wings’ category for their prestigious Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, and have done so for the past 9 years. The competition and exhibition showcases some of the best wildlife art from around the world and we are looking forward to seeing artist submissions featuring the extraordinary variety of winged wildlife. As a long term supporter of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation we are delighted to be involved, helping to protect endangered wildlife across Asia and Africa.”
Martin & Sally Lock

Awards

Buy this original watercolour by Vikrant in aid of conservation — Artwork by Vikrant Shitole ‘The Unleashed’

Elizabeth Hosking Prize for Watercolour

Elizabeth Hosking

“I am delighted that Elizabeth Hosking is generously donating the prize for the most notable watercolour entry. There is a freshness about watercolour that is unrivalled by any other medium. The white paper and liveliness of a watercolour artwork has immense appeal. This means they always sell very well at the Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition and are often very affordable, partly because they can be relatively quick to create, but more so because traditionally watercolours have been a more reasonably priced art source”
Hazel Soan, Watercolourist & Wildlife Artist of the Year Judge

Ginger-Gehres-Let-the-Good-Times-Roll-51-x-38-Scratchboard.jpg — Artwork by Ginger Gehres ‘Let The Good Times Roll’

The Michelle Lee Howk ‘First Time Entrants Award’

Michelle & Jason Howk

“My intention behind creating this exciting new award is to inspire artists who have never entered DSWF’s contest to take a chance on themselves. We hope those who have held back from entering will show the world their talent. In this time of great anxiety, new artists might hold back when they see the level of talent that prize-winning artists in this competition have developed. Be confident in your work, we see amazing artists every day that should enter this contest.”
Michelle Lee Howk