Artists have been encouraged to compete in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge's 11th Annual International Migratory Bird Celebration logo art contest. The winning artwork will be the official trademark of the celebration, which will be held at the refuge on May 7 & 8, 2005. The winning artwork will also become the logo that will appear on all of the event-related materials, including the program, flyers, T-shirts, and other items.

"The logo art contest allows individuals to express their appreciation of the natural beauty of migratory birds," said Acting Refuge Manager Terry Villanueva. Nature has always been a source of inspiration for artists and what better place to become inspired than Chincoteague National WildIife Refuge."

Artists were required to submit an original, line-art drawing of a migratory bird that occurs on Chincoteague Refuge except the pine warbler, American woodcock, belted kingfisher, green heron, black-necked stilt or the osprey -- the last six winning birds. The medium had to be pen and ink, but artists could submit as many pieces as they wished. There was no age requirement for the contest. The winning submission will become the property of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.