Calling all local artists! The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is launching our fourth statewide art contest to design the menu art for our 2024 Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills conservation dinner series. These events partner SCWF with local chefs throughout the state to create culinary dining experiences themed around imperiled wildlife species.
The winner of the art contest will have their art featured on each menu of the dinner series. The first dinner is scheduled for April 25 at Napa at Kingsley in Fort Mill.
Local artists are encouraged to submit an image file of their design that includes all six of the wildlife species that will be featured in the 2024 dinner series (see below).
You, the Artist
You must submit the Contest Entry Form (click on button below) or submit it via email to SCWF.
1. Roseate Spoonbill: Increasing after almost disappearing from the US in the early 1900's.
Image Credit: Roseate Spoonbill by Linda Shaw.
South Carolina's only pink bird. Some people confuse it with a Flamingo at first sight. The color comes from the foods they eat, which include crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates, though they'll also eat fish. The bill is long and flat and wide at the end, similar to a wooden spoon one would use in the kitchen while cooking. It's a coastal bird that has increased its population in SC after almost being hunted to extinction in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
2. Eastern Meadowlark: 50-year decline of 75%.
Eastern Meadowlark.
A grasslands bird in steep decline. This species can be found in native grasslands and prairies, but can also be found in agricultural fields such as hayfields and other pastures. The Mexican mnemonic to remember the song is "Tortilla con Chile". The US mnemonic is "Spring of the YEEAAR". It's one of the most beautiful grasslands birds in the world. They have bright yellow underparts with a bold black "V" on its upper chest, right below its throat. It's brown above and has black markings on its side and within the brown coloration above. It has a large bill and a short tail. It's a medium sized "chunky" bird.
3. Brown-headed Nuthatch: Populations appear to be stable due to restoration of pine forests.
Brown-headed Nuthatch.
This energetic bird is fun to watch and listen to as it has a song that sounds just like a squeaky toy you would buy for a dog or a child. The bird is found almost anywhere in South Carolina that has pine trees. It is tiny, and weighs only, 0.3oz, and has a max length of, 4.3 inches. It has a brown cap on its head with a white throat. The back is a light grey and the underside is a combination of grey, white, and brown. This bird can only be found in the Southeast US and is sought after by any birder visiting outside of our local area
4. Eastern screech-owl: 50-year decline of 37%
Image Credit: Eastern screech-owl by Lynn Long.
This mysterious and very well camouflaged Owl is no taller than a pint glass. It comes in two colors; grey and a rusty-red. Their cryptic plumage makes them appear to melt into the hardwood trees they occupy. Many insects are on the menu of this bird, but they also eat crayfish, frogs, reptiles, and even bats and other birds. It can be found in wooded areas in the countryside, but can also adapt to life in the suburbs as long as there are enough trees and a plentiful food source.
5. Little Blue Heron: 50-year decline of 49%
Image Credit: Little Blue Heron by Michael Summer.
These widespread birds have a global population that spans from the Northeast US all the way down to the northern portion of Paraguay in South America. Many people around SC are familiar with its larger cousin, the Great Blue Heron, but the Little Blue Heron is usually only seen around the coastal plain of SC. It has a slaty-blue body with a marron neck and head. Juveniles are all white, but have a chalky-blue bill and chalky greenish-yellow legs. It can be found in marshes, swamps, ditches, ponds, and many other wet areas that have an abundance of food in the coastal plain.
6. Red-winged Blackbird: 50-year decline of 28%
Red-winged Blackbird.
Red-winged Blackbird males are jet-black with deep red and yellow patches on their wings. During the breeding season, males will sing and hold out their wings to display their bright red and yellow patches. You can find them breeding in saltwater marshes, rice paddies, and areas with cattails, but they also breed in dryer areas such as alfalfa fields and fallow fields. The mnemonic used to remember its song is: "Conk-la-leeee!"
Click these year links to view the contest submissions from 2020, 2021, and 2023.
There is no entry fee for this contest.
Note: Contestants, by their entry, agree that the South Carolina Wildlife Federation may publish their images in SCWF publications and on the SCWF website and social media platforms. The winning images may be reproduced by SCWF for sale to support our mission. Artist will be credited when image is used.
Eligibility
Artists must be residents of South Carolina; there is no age restriction or registration fee. Artwork must contain all of the species represented in the 2024 dinner series. SCWF employees or board members or their immediate family members are not eligible.
Artists must sign the entry form to be eligible and all signatures must be original. Electronic signatures are acceptable.
Sizing: Artwork submitted can be vertically or horizontally oriented. The design will be printed on a card that is 5.5” wide x 8.5” long.
Judging
The judges are made up of the SCWF staff. Decisions of the judges are final. Notification will be sent by e-mail after judging is complete.
2020 Spoonbills Art Contest Winner by Ruth Martin
Prizes
The winner’s art will be featured on the menus of the 2024 Spoonbills dinner events. They will also have a choice of accepting a $100 cash prize or two tickets to one of the dinner events ($300 value).
Note regarding event tickets: There is a vegan option available at each event. Alcohol is included with the meal, so all attendees must be at least 21 years of age.
Dates
Entries must be postmarked or emailed no later than 11:59 pm on February 19th. Winners will be notified by March 1st. All art submitted will be posted online.
Where to Send Entries:
Send via email to: mail@scwf.org. Questions? Contact SCWF at (803) 256-0670 or mail@scwf.org.
Banner Image by Meyriel Edge