HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Game Commission on Friday announced it is accepting paintings of black bears for its 2025 "Working Together for Wildlife Design Contest."
Aspiring artists are encouraged to submit a horizontal painting measuring exactly 22.5 by 15 inches or a vertical painting measuring exactly 15 by 22.5 inches. Each painting must have a 3-inch white border or matte, and should be left unsigned and unframed.
The painting can feature one or more black bears, the Game Commission said.
The entry deadline is 4 p.m. on July 22, 2024. Entries must be delivered to the Game Commission's headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg.
For each entry, there is a $30 non-refundable entrance fee payable to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The entries will be reviewed and evaluated by a committee of qualified Game Commission personnel.
The artist whose black bear painting is selected for the 2025 "Working Together for Wildlife" fine art print series will receive $4,000, plus 50 artist proof prints.
The winning artist must pencil sign up to 750 limited edition fine art prints produced from the original painting, with signing conducted at the Harrisburg headquarters, and the artist receiving the cash award after the prints are signed, the Game Commission said.
In addition, cash awards will be presented to four other top-finishing artists, the Game Commission said. The artist submitting the second-place painting will receive $750; third place, $500; fourth place, $400; and fifth place, $250.
In the event of a tie, the awards for the two places will be combined and split evenly, the Game Commission said.
Participating artists will have the chance to view all entries after final selections are made and pick up their paintings after the viewing period.
Official rules about the contest are available at www.pgc.pa.gov.
Each artist must be a Pennsylvania resident.
“Revenues received from the sale of signed and numbered prints help finance wildlife research and management programs in Pennsylvania, meaning participating artists not only have a chance to take home winnings, but to help fund wildlife conservation through their work,” said Lauren Ferreri, who leads the Game Commission’s Bureau of Information and Education. “By inspiring artists, engaging the public and allowing both to help benefit wildlife, the Working Together for Wildlife program continues to promote the Game Commission’s role in wildlife conservation and serve as an important reminder that we all can make a difference.”
