‘Winningest’ federal duck stamp artist to take part in refuge’s Art in the Wild
Joseph “Joe” Hautman is the second artist ever to take first place six times in the annual Federal Duck Stamp Contest, most recently in last year’s competition for the 2023-24 stamp.
The only other artist to score that many wins? His brother, James “Jim” Hautman, in 2021. Three-time winner and brother Robert “Bob” has taken first place three times, and last year he placed third in the fierce competition.
All three brothers will make a guest appearance — a rare occasion for them professionally — and exhibit their work during the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s inaugural Art in the Wild on Oct. 21-22 on Sanibel. The free event is hosted cooperatively with the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.
Considering that more than 100 artists typically compete each year in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, and that winners are not allowed to compete for the following three years, the Hautmans’ accomplishments have made a hallowed name for them in wildlife art circles. The three Minnesota brothers even made the script for the 1996 hit comedic movie “Fargo.”
Each year, the refuge hosts the winning duck stamp artist in October to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week and the birthday of the refuge’s namesake, the first duck stamp artist in 1935. Artist-cartoonist Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling is largely responsible for the Federal Duck Stamp Program. Considered the most successful conservation program in U.S. history, the duck stamp program has purchased 6 million acres of now-protected wetlands since its inception.
Joe Hautman’s 2023-24 winning design depicts a trio of tundra swans.
“In 2016, I won the Federal Duck Stamp contest with a pair of flying trumpeter swans,” he said. “So, this year, with tundra swans as one of the eligible species, I wanted to change it up and do a design involving sitting swans. I came up with four or five design options with sitting or standing swans, but, in spite of my plan, I went back and compared those to a composition that I had for a full-sized painting of flying swans, and I liked something about the dynamic birds and the scenery in the flying painting. When I adapted that to the smaller format for the contest, the flying swans looked like the best stamp design and it ended up winning the contest.”
Hautman will take his refuge appearance a step further on Oct. 21. In addition to a 10 a.m. presentation, followed by a duck stamp signing, the refuge will debut an exhibition of the Hautmans’ original work in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium. The exhibit will remain in the auditorium for free daily viewing, with a closing date to be announced later.
Besides the typical signing of the year’s current duck stamp, all three brothers will sign an exclusive commemorative postcard featuring their most recent winning stamps, a one-of-a-kind collectible for art enthusiasts.
“It’s always such an honor and pleasure to visit with longtime friends and spend time at ‘Ding,'” Hautman said. “It’s one of my favorite parts about winning the contest. I’m doubly honored this year to be exhibiting my work at the first-ever Art in the Wild event, along with my brothers.”
On Oct. 21, the activities kick off at 9 a.m. with an official ribbon-cutting of the refuge’s new flex-space open-air pavilion, called The Roost.
The refuge’s 2023-24 Artist-in-Residence Jacqui Roch will be on hand to lead a community mural-painting project, plus attendees can expect a pottery demonstration by Tim Smith, numerous other art demos and hands-on activities, the announcement of the 2023 “Ding” Darling Amateur Photo Contest winners, treats to celebrate Darling’s birthday, and other surprises through 3 p.m.
Oct. 22 will bring a Paint-Out event that starts at 7 a.m. on Wildlife Drive with plein-air artists creating works that will go on display in the Visitor & Education Center for visitors to vote for their favorite during the rest of October. The DDWS will host live music and a puppet show at The Roost until 2:30 p.m. Along with all activities, admission to Wildlife Drive will be free both days.
“The Hautmans are the rock stars of the federal duck stamp world,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland said. “They are the true ‘duck dynasty.’ We are beyond excited to celebrate their big wins and see their art hanging in the auditorium to share with all our visitors. It really is the crowning attraction of the event.”
“This is a rare opportunity to acquire Hautman original paintings or duck stamp prints,” DDWS Associate Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman, who oversees the refuge’s exhibitions, said. “All three brothers are bringing smaller original artwork, some of which will feature Southwest Florida bird portraits. There will be around 10 to 12 originals available for sale and perhaps a few more for exhibit only. Proceeds from the sale of artwork will benefit the conservation work at the refuge.”
The DDWS is seeking event sponsors. For more information, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety.org.
For more information about Art in the Wild, visit dingartinthewild.com.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Art in the Wild
When
Oct. 21-22
Where
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to the public