Artists who want a chance to have their wildlife paintings featured in the 2026 edition of the West Virginia Wildlife Calendar have until Feb. 19, 2025, to send their artwork to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
Each year, the WVDNR selects 12 paintings for its award-winning calendar based on overall composition, quality and anatomical and contextual accuracy. All artists, especially those from West Virginia, are encouraged to submit their work. A $200 prize is awarded for each chosen painting. The artist whose artwork is selected for the cover receives an additional $500.
“This calendar not only celebrates the beauty of West Virginia’s wildlife but also showcases the artistic creativity that makes our state so special,” said Brett McMillion, WVNDR director. “As we begin work on the 2026 calendar, we want to encourage all artists to submit their work for a chance to be part of a cherished publication that is enjoyed by thousands of people across the country every year.”
Art must be original color paintings on canvas or another flat surface and must depict native game and fish species or other wildlife found in West Virginia, such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, small mammals and nongame fish. Photographs and paintings with wildlife not found in West Virginia will not be considered. Paintings depicting hunting or fishing activities may be submitted.
The calendar is horizontal and art should be at least 14.5 inches wide by 11.5 inches high. Artists who want to send art should mail a high-resolution copy to the following address: WV Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Calendar Art, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV, 26241.
Artists may send multiple paintings and artwork not chosen in previous years may be resubmitted. Digital copies of paintings of at least 300dpi may be emailed to Sanya.D.George@wv.gov.
For more information about submitting art for the West Virginia Wildlife Calendar, visit WVdnr.gov/wildlife-calendar
