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.

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