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Theme: “Migration” – Featuring the Majestic Common Black Hawk
The annual Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival, proudly hosted by Friends of the Verde River, is thrilled to announce its Call to Artists for the 2024 festival. This premier event, held every April amidst the serene beauty of Dead Horse Ranch State Park, presents a unique opportunity for artists like you to showcase your talents while celebrating the awe-inspiring theme of “Migration,” embodied in the magnificent Common Black Hawk.
Photo by Tom Crosby, tpcphotography.com
Celebrating Your Art and the Common Black Hawk
We are excited to invite artists to submit your finest original 2D artworks, including drawings, paintings, and other 2D media, vividly portraying the grace and grandeur of the Common Black Hawk. The selected masterpiece will become the official emblem of the festival, featured prominently across various promotional materials, online campaigns, and fundraising merchandise, all of which serve to champion the crucial conservation work led by Friends of the Verde River.
Rewards for Artists
The first-place winner will not only gain well-deserved recognition and exposure but will also receive a $100 cash prize, promotional materials adorned with their winning artwork, and a complimentary booth space at the festival. As part of our commitment to conservation, each winning artist will contribute 45% of their sales proceeds to Friends of the Verde River. This booth space provides a unique opportunity to exhibit and sell your artwork directly to an enthusiastic audience of nature enthusiasts and birders throughout the four-day event.
This year, our panel of judges will also recognize 2nd and 3rd place winners and will extend the opportunity for these artists to exhibit and sell their work at the festival. Final decisions will be at the discretion of Friends of the Verde River.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
All submissions must be in by October 30, 2023.
- One submission per artists
- Must be age appropriate for this family event
- Must be a realistic depiction of bird and habitat
- All forms of art are welcomed as long as they are able to be photographed
Winners will receive…
1st Prize
- Their winning piece featured on festival marketing materials + the festival t-shirt
- $100.00 for their time and materials
- 2 festival t-shirts with the winning artwork
- Booth space at the festival to exhibit and sell your work*
2nd and 3rd Prize
- Booth space at the festival to exhibit and sell your work*
* Each artist agrees to contribute 45% of their sales proceeds to Friends of the Verde River.
Submission Details
Submissions will be accepted until October 30, 2023, and selection notifications will be dispatched by November 14, 2023. If you are eager to participate you can submit your piece by emailing a photo of your artwork to Grace at gracef@verderiver.org no later than October 30, 2023. We will only accept one submission per artist.
Supporting Conservation
Following the contest, we invite all artists to consider generously donating their original artworks to Friends of the Verde River. This contribution will play a vital role in advancing our mission to preserve and nurture the health of the Verde River system.
About the Common Black Hawk
The Common Black Hawk, a captivating raptor known for its broad wings and distinctive flight, stands as the emblematic symbol of migration for the 2024 Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival. Adults showcase blackish-brown plumage, adorned with a crown-like crest, a broad white tail band, and a slender white tail tip. Juveniles, on the other hand, display captivating streaky brown patterns and creamy buff underparts accentuated by bold dark streaks. Their visual appeal and captivating behaviors make them an ideal muse for artists inspired by the natural world.
Photos by Tom Crosby, tpcphotography.com
About the Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival
Situated 100 miles north of Phoenix in Arizona’s Verde Valley, the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival unfolds during the peak of the spring migration season. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Verde River and its majestic canyons, the festival offers participants a diverse array of birding experiences, guided tours, hikes, and workshops. The region’s abundant birding habitats provide sanctuary to over 200 bird species and a myriad of other wildlife.
With over 300 attendees hailing from across the United States, the festival thrives through the dedicated efforts of our passionate volunteers and the generous support of organizations such as Salt River Project (SRP), Montezuma Castle & Tuzigoot National Monuments, Arizona Public Service, City of Cottonwood, Freeport-McMoRan, and Jay’s Bird Barn.
Join us in celebrating the wonders of migration and art as we pay homage to the beauty and significance of the Verde River and its vibrant ecosystems.
For submission and festival inquiries, kindly email a photo of your artwork to Grace at gracef@verderiver.org no later than October 30, 2023. All submissions will undergo evaluation by the Friends of the Verde River staff, board of directors, and the planning committee for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival.
