Conservation Through the Arts: Celebrating the Federal Duck Stamp
September 5, 2024 - February 9, 2025, Changing Science Gallery
One of the most successful conservation programs in United States history, the Federal Duck Stamp has inspired generations of wildlife artists by showcasing and promoting their most exquisite works. For the first time ever, the Bruce Museum brings together over 70 works of art representing the original winning designs for the annual stamp.
Since its launch in 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp has raised more than $1.2 billion to preserve over 6.5 million acres of wetlands across the United States. All duck hunters must purchase the stamp which supports conservation and acquisition of wetlands where the birds thrive. The first stamp featured a brush and ink drawing of mallards by two-time Pulitzer-Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and noted conservationist Jay N. “Ding” Darling. In early years, the annual stamp design was selected by a panel from a shortlist of invited artists. Since 1949 a contest has been held to select the design of the annual stamp – the only art competition run by the U.S. government.
Conservation Through the Arts is the first exhibition to bring together the majority of artworks selected for the annual Federal Duck Stamp. This exhibition is made possible by the monumental donation of more than 60 artworks by collector Richie Prager. Visitors will witness how the style of the drawings, etchings, and paintings evolved over time, learn about historical processes for translating art into stamp designs via engraving, and find out how deeply the Duck Stamp has permeated popular culture. Art on view will include prints by early stamp artists such as “Ding” Darling and Frank Weston Benson, works by such titans of wildlife art as David Maass and Owen Gromme, and contemporary paintings by Joseph, James and Robert Hautman, three brothers renowned for collectively winning 15 competitions.
The exhibition also features historic documents associated with the program, waterfowl taxidermy and carved decoys from the Bruce Museum history and natural history collections, and examples of Duck Stamps including presentation panes, plate blocks, and stamps signed and remarqued by artists. Families will enjoy interactives such “hatchable” eggs that reveal images of ducklings, buttons that play audio of duck calls, and collecting stamps on their own Duck Stamp Passports.
Hundreds of artists vie each year for the prestige of seeing their art grace the new stamp. The Bruce is honored to serve as the host venue for the 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, which will take place live at the Museum on September 19th and 20th. At the two-day event, a panel of five expert judges will examine hundreds of entries to select the winning design for the 2025 Federal Duck Stamp. Additional programs associated with the exhibition will include screenings of the documentary The Million Dollar Duck, which chronicles the fierce competition of the 2014 Duck Stamp Contest and the film Wings Over Water about the extraordinary migratory journeys of birds.
Support for Conservation Through the Arts: Celebrating the Federal Duck Stamp is generously provided by Automated Control Logic, BlackRock, CT Department of Economic and Community Development, CT Humanities, Ducks Unlimited, and the Charles M. and Deborah G. Royce Exhibition Fund.
Thank you to our media sponsor WSHU | public radio.
James Hautman (American, b. 1964)
Redheads, 2022
Acrylic on gesso board
Bruce Museum, Gift of Richie Prager
Joe Hautman (American, b. 1956)
Tundra Swans, 2023
Acrylic on gesso board
Bruce Museum, Gift of Richie Prager
1974-1975 Duck Stamp
Design by David Maass
Duck Stamp images used with permission from the US Fish and Wildlife Service
The First Duck Stamp
Design by Jay N. "Ding" Darling
Duck Stamp images used with permission from the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Programs and Events
2024 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Thursday and Friday, September 19 and September 20, 2024, 10:00 am–5:00 pm, Gale and Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., and Pamela and Robert Goergen Auditorium
Judging for the 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Contest will be held at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut. Please note this year's contest is going to be held on a Thursday and Friday.
You may view the entries on the USFWS Flickr site, closer to the contest date. Please remember these are low resolution scans that have not been color corrected. All judging will be done viewing the originals in person in a controlled environment. YouTube links for live streaming will be available closer to the contest date. Final scores by judges will be available after the contest.
2024 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Science Solvers: Ducks
Saturday and Sunday, September 7, and September 8, 2024, 1-3:00 PM
Participants will learn all about ducks – anatomy, feathers, environments. A drop-in program designed for children aged 4 and up and their families.
Bruce Beginnings: Ducks Galore
Tuesday September 17 2024, 10–10:45 AM and 11–11:45 AM, and Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 11–11:45 AM
In this Bruce Beginnings children and their caretakers will learn all about ducks and make their own paper plate duck to take home.
Bruce Beginnings: Ducks Galore
Bruce Beginnings Junior: Ducks
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 10–10:45 am
Explore the Museum and its collection with a fun and interactive experience. Children and their caregivers will learn about ducks through fine motor skill exploration and play.
Bruce Beginnings Junior: Ducks
Bruce Experiences: The Million Dollar Duck–Q&A
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 6–8:30 PM, Gale and Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., and Pamela and Robert Goergen Auditorium
Feathers will be ruffled, and some egos will be bruised, but for one contestant, winning “the Olympics of wildlife art” will be life-changing.
Bruce Experiences: The Million Dollar Duck–Q&A
Bruce Experiences: Sunday Cinema–The Million Dollar Duck
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 2–4:00 PM, Gale and Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., and Pamela and Robert Goergen Auditorium
Feathers will be ruffled and some egos will be bruised, but for one contestant, winning “the Olympics of wildlife art” will be life-changing.
Bruce Experiences: Sunday Cinema–The Million Dollar Duck
Bruce Presents: Wings Over Water
Thursday, October 17, 2024, 6:00 PM-7:30 PM, Gale and Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., and Pamela and Robert Goergen Auditorium
Wings Over Water tells the story of the epic journeys of three amazing bird families – the Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler and the Mallard Duck – with extraordinary footage of their fascinating behaviors.
Bruce Presents: Wings Over Water
Meet for Coffee at the Bruce: Behind the Scenes with Kira and Kess
Saturday, November 9, 2024, 9:00-10:30 am, Aux Délices at the Bruce Café
Join us for a special edition of Meet for Coffee at the Bruce featuring twin sisters Kira Sabin and Kess Fennel, who are making waves in the art world and inspiring conservation efforts through their shared passion for wildlife and creativity.
Meet for Coffee at the Bruce: Behind the Scenes with Kira and Kess
Bruce Inspires: Duck Stamp Painting with Kira and Kess
Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 6–7:30 pm, Education Classroom 2
Join us for a creative evening with twin sisters Kira Sabin and Kess Fennel in Bruce Inspires: Duck Stamp Painting, a beginner-friendly paint-and-sip class inspired by the annual Federal Duck Stamp Contest! Kira and Kess will lead you through the steps to create your own duck stamp-worthy painting.
