FBDA News:
SAN ANTONIO — Are you inspired by sandhill cranes and the beauty of the natural world? Friends of Bosque del Apache invites you to submit artwork for the 2026 Festival of the Cranes Art Contest.
The winning design will be featured on this year’s official festival poster, festival booklet, and merchandise, serving as the face of the Festival of the Cranes. The selected artist will receive a $500 cash prize, along with a booth or table at the event, where they’ll be honored as the Featured Artist of the Year and can sell their work—from postcards to original pieces.
Submissions are due by June 1, 2026, and should feature sandhill cranes as the central subject. Artwork in all mediums is welcome—including painting, photography, digital art, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, and more. Photographs may be submitted as unedited originals or edited works. Entries should capture the spirit of the Festival of the Cranes, held each year at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico.
Artists of all levels are encouraged to apply. For complete contest details and submission guidelines, visit: friendsofbosquedelapache.org/art-contest-terms-and-conditions
Save the Date
The 2026 Festival of the Cranes will be held December 2-5 at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico. This beloved annual event celebrates the arrival of thousands of sandhill cranes and other migratory birds to the Rio Grande’s winter wetlands, offering attendees expert-led tours, keynote speakers, family programs, and world-class birding and wildlife photography opportunities.
About the Festival
Now in its 37th year, the Festival of the Cranes draws thousands of birders, photographers, and nature lovers from around the world to one of North America’s most spectacular birding destinations. The festival is organized by Friends of Bosque del Apache in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Help us share this opportunity! We welcome reposts and forwards to:
- Art schools and university art departments
- Birding clubs and Audubon Society chapters
- Wildlife and conservation groups
- Nature centers and visitor bureaus
- Other birding festivals and art contest organizers
For more information, contact:
Friends of Bosque del Apache
Email: festival@friendsofbosquedelapache.org
Website: www.festivalofthecranes.org
Facebook & Instagram: @friendsofthebosque / @friendsofbosquedelapache