ODNR announces state’s best wildlife renderings

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

COLUMBUS — Artists for Wildlife, the Division of Wildlife’s inaugural art show, concluded with five winners selected from a total of 27 entries.

The art show was open to artists in high school and college and featured a variety of art mediums.

The Best in Show piece featured a close-up of a great horned owl’s eye. The outstanding digital illustration was created by 21-year-old Shelby Drake of Greene County.

A panel of Division of Wildlife employees voted on the Best in Show artwork and an honorable mention.

Additional category winners were chosen by ODNR Director Mary Mertz, Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and agency staff.

The five category winners and many other excellent art show entries were on display at the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair. The remaining category winners were:

• Director’s Choice: ODNR Director Mary Mertz selected Sophie Reeder, age 15, of Franklin County, as the winner for a block print of a great blue heron.
• Chief’s Choice: Chief Kendra Wecker awarded the Chief’s Choice to Ava Schlotterbeck, age 17, of Licking County for an oil painting of a blue-winged warbler.
• Designer’s Choice: A mixed media piece showing a sandhill crane, by Kathryn Brekas, age 14, of Warren County, was selected as the Designer’s Choice.
• Honorable Mention: A watercolor pencil drawing of a Blackburnian warbler by Ethan Falkinburg, age 19, of Lorain County, was awarded the honorable mention.