 From
VanGogh to Monet, you'll find the biggest collection of artwork by world-famous
artists in Paris. But the finest pieces of wildlife art in the United States
could be found at the National Wild Turkey Federation's 25th Annual Convention
and Sports Show in Columbus, Ohio.
During the weekend of February 1518, the NWTF honored the best artists in wildlife painting, taxidermy, call making and carving. Wildlife Paintings Kathy Dickson of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was chosen as the 2001 NWT F's Featured Artist of the Year. Dickson's print, "Scarlet Bloom," of rich red cardinals perched on a dogwood tree, was a main feature during one of the convention's banquet auctions. Jim Kasper of Grand Rapids, Minn., was named the NWTF's Stamp Print Artist of the Year. His stamp print, "Spring Show," of a boss gobbler and his hens on an old farmstead, was also featured in the banquet auction. Melissa Ball of Greencastle, Pa., took first place in the 2001 Art Contest with her acrylic painting of a hunter looking out over a field where two gobblers are taking interest in his decoys. Taxidermy The NWTF awarded Harry Whitehead of Lexington, Ky., "Best of Show" in the Master Division of the 2001 Grand National Wild Turkey Taxidermy Championship, while Julia Ielfield of Glenfield, N.Y., won "Best of Show" in the Pro Division. The "Best of Show" honor transcends category as it is awarded to the turkey mount that receives the highest craftsmanship score among all entries in the contest. Michael Mulinix of Minerva, Ohio received the WASCO (Wildlife Artist Supply Company) Award. In the 3rd Annual Grand National Whitetail Deer/Game Mount Taxidermy Championship, Jeff Pusateri of North Benton, Ohio, won "Best of Show" in the Master Division. Roger Parsons of Clark, Ohio, took the same top honor in the Professional Division. O.F. Mossberg and Sons, a firearms manufacturer based in North Haven, Conn., was the taxidermy competitions' sponsor, with company representative Dennis Kendall making award presentations. Call Making Don Chancey of Baxley, Ga., was awarded "Best of Show" in the 3rd Annual Grand National Working Turkey Call Contest, while Dave Constantine of Durand, Wis., took the same top honor in the 8th Annual Decorative Turkey Call Contest. Dennis Poeschel of Milwaukee, Wis., won "Best of Show" in the 4th Annual Grand National Decorative Duck and Goose Call Contest. The NWTF would like to congratulate all the art winners and thank all of the judges from this year's wildlife art competitions. For more information on the art competitions of the NWTF, call (800) THE-NWTF. Visit the NWTF web site at www.NWTF.org. For more information contact: Jonathan Harling at jharling@nwtf.org
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