Jennifer Miller and Andrew Kneeland
have their artwork featured on this season’s Federal and Junior duck stamps, which were unveiled last week at Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid.
What better backdrop for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual first-day sale of its Federal and Junior duck stamps on Friday than the Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid and its 4,600-square-foot Waterfowling Heritage Center?
As master of ceremonies Jerome Ford, the USFWS’ assistant director for migratory birds, welcomed those who had gathered to purchase the two stamps, you could hear the nearby laughter of Pyramid visitors who didn’t have a clue what was happening at the First Day of Sale ceremony.
The aroma of nuts and fudge coming from the facility’s main floor mixed in with unsuspecting customers slipping through as Ford and other speakers spent about 45 minutes showcasing two of the world’s most coveted stamps and how much the stamps have meant — and will continue to mean — to conservation.
From the get-go, thanks to the rousing words of encouragement from Martin G. MacDonald, director of conservation for Bass Prop Shops, it was obvious this was the first of what promises to be many such events at The Pyramid.
“This was a perfect fit for us,” said store manager David Hagel, who attended Friday’s event along with several other members of his staff. In fact, Ginny Vann, who works in customer service, sang the national anthem.
Other speakers were Dale Hall, CEO for Memphis-based Ducks Unlimited, which partnered with Bass Shops in the creation of the Waterfowling Heritage Center; Dan Ashe, USFWS director; and Toni Franklin, manager of customer service operations for the U.S. Postal Service in Memphis.
But the spotlight belonged to the success of the duck stamp and the artists whose work are featured on the 2015-16 Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp — Jennifer Miller, 33, of Olean, New York, and Andrew Kneeland, 17, of Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps to hunters, stamp collectors and other conservationists have raised more than $800 million. Funds raised through stamp sales have been used to acquire more than 6.5 million acres of wetlands.
“The duck stamp has been a big part of my professional life, starting when I was director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” Hall said. “I have been a judge in the contest and monies generated from duck stamp sales help secure habitats that are critically important to North America’s wetlands and waterfowl. Now, as DU CEO, I can tell you that Ducks Unlimited and our volunteers, supporters and partners are all grateful that these funds continue to benefit wetlands and waterfowl conservation across North America.”
More than 200 artists entered this year’s Federal Duck Stamp competition. About 24,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade participated in the Junior Duck Stamp contest.
Miller admits she “probably wasn’t on anyone’s radar” to have her painting of two ruddy ducks selected. “I’m certainly surprised by my win and very honored. I couldn’t believe it at first. It’s just now starting to sink in.”
For Kneeland and his family, being chosen was a dream come true.
“My first thought was they must have messed up,” said Kneeland, who placed second in 2014-15. “I thought they obviously picked the wrong person. I sat down on the couch. I was flabbergasted when Mr. Ford called me. This competition is something that has become very special to me.”
Kneeland said he chose wood ducks to paint as his personal challenge.
“As I studied them, I realized that the female duck’s iridescence was rarely the focal point and this captivated me,” he said. “The Latin name for wood ducks, Aix sponsa, means ‘water-bird in wedding raiment,’ and I began to build on that theme showing a pair posing in the sunlight after a misty rain.”
Kneeland’s mom and dad and brothers made the trip to Memphis.
“It was special to have them here, too,” said Kneeland, whose family lives about 3½ hours south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in the shadow of Aspen Mountain.
The first Duck Stamp art contest was held in 1949. It remains the only art competition of its kind sponsored by the U.S. government and one that anyone may enter. The Junior Duck Stamp, which began in 1989, sells for $5.
President Barack Obama signed into law last December the first price increase for the Federal Duck Stamp — formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp — in more than 20 years, going from $15 to $25.