The 2019 Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Contest winners are currently on display through Nov. 30 at the Newton Public Library. Visit the library to see some amazing artwork from students in grades K-12. The exhibit includes 36 pieces of artwork of Iowa’s first, second and third place winners. Olivia Payne, a 14-year-old from Knoxville, was the 2019 Iowa Best of Show winner. Olivia’s entry was a ruddy duck done in colored pencils. Her original artwork was sent to Washington, D.C., to participate in the national contest and is now traveling the United States as part of the State Best of Show winners.
Several Newton area students, participating through the Art Junkie Studio in Newton, have entries in the exhibit. Lexi Frehse and Talia Friedman were first-place winners in grades K-3. Kaden Jansen of Kellogg, was a second-place winner in grades K-3. Kaitlynn Jansen, also from Kellogg, was a third-place winner in grades 7-9. Students receiving honorable mention, but not included in the exhibit were Kale Jansen and Kalley Jansen, both from Kellogg.
The Junior Duck Stamp Contest is modeled after the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the “Duck Stamp.” The Junior Duck Stamp competition is held annually and all students in grades K-12 may participate in the contest. The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is designed to teach students about waterfowl conservation and wetlands habitat through an art and science-based curriculum.
Entries for the 2020 contest must be postmarked by March 15, 2020. Check the Junior Duck Stamp website for instructions on mailing entries.
For more information about the contest, contact Doreen Van Ryswyk at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge at 515-994-3400 or visit fws.gov/duckstamps.
