The 38th annual Rappahannock River Waterfowl Show will be held March 18 and 19 at the White Stone Firehouse, 578 Chesapeake Drive, White Stone.
The firehouse will be filled with artists, carvers, sculptors and photographers showcasing a variety of wildfowl-related art, reported co-chairman Pat Bruce.
Nine new exhibitors will attend the show, three will return after an absence and many more will again participate. The selection process for new artists involves the submission of photos of their work and a biography, said Bruce. The show committee looks for applicants whose work is of the highest quality and who will enhance the show.
New artists include Joe and Chris Pagano of Wiconisco, Pa., Laura McGowan of Onancock, and Noah Hook of White Stone and Richmond, carvers Ed Hind of Heathsville, Larry Appleton of Guilford, Conn., Ed Jacobs of Elkton, Md., decoy collectors Jim Hood of Heathsville and Jimmy Coppedge of Virginia Beach, and model boat builder Eddie Somers of Crisfield, Md.
Artists making a return after an absence include Jim Wilson of Yorktown, William Redd Taylor of Newport News and James Wyszatycki of Norfolk.
The Artist of the Year is Grover Cantwell of Salisbury, Md. All visitors to the show throughout the weekend will receive a free color print of Grover’s new painting. The Preview Night door prize is a carving by David Davis of Williamsburg. The weekend door prize is a painting by Janet Hong of Chesapeake.
Show features
Special features include retriever demonstrations at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday by the Old Dominion Retriever Club; carving contest on Saturday sponsored by the Rappahannock Decoys Carvers Guild; activities for children both days by the Virginia Waterman’s Association; and the first showing of the 2017 Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp winners.
The Best of Show entries in the 2016 Federal Duck Stamp Program will be on display. This special exhibit is from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who will also have an exhibit.
Show sponsors are W. F. Booth and Son Inc. for the show prints, Bank of Lancaster and Bay Trust, Rappahannock Rentals, Lawler Real Estate, Paul Sciacchitano and Welby Saunders of Wells Fargo Advisors, Coloryn Studio, B.W. Wilson Paper Company, Currie Funeral Home and Willaby’s Catering.
The show’s hours are 10 to 5 on March 18 and 10 to 4 on March 19. The admission is $8, which is good for both days, with children under 12 free.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19. Admission is $8.
Proceeds benefit the White Stone Volunteer Fire Department.
Invitations for the Preview Night have been mailed. Those who did not receive one may, contact Bruce, 435-6355, [email protected] or rrws.org. Gala tickets are $60 per person and must be reserved by March 10.
