The Redwood Forest Foundation is proud to sponsor this exciting new art and photo competition whose purpose is to display the beauty and the plight of forests throughout the United States. Your entry may represent any aspect of the forest or forestry industry in any area of the United States and will be judged within any of the nine regions displayed on the Contest Map. The competition is open to all artists and photographers, professional or amateur. Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals will be awarded in each of the art and photo categories along with several thousand dollars in cash awards. There is also a “Paint The Redwoods Award” within Region 5 (all Paint The Redwoods entries are automatically entered in the Artist Category). Images may depict scenery, logging, restoration, examples of egregious practices, beneficial aspects of forestry management or anything to do with the forest flora and fauna.

Gold Medal, Silver Medal and other selected artwork and photography will be featured in our National Touring Exhibit, which commences September 3, 2010 in the Sausalito, California area and continues throughout California and the United States. In addition, Bronze Medal and Top 50 Winners will have an opportunity to exhibit their art alongside our national winners at showings taking place at galleries located within each of the 9 Contest Regions. This is a great way for local galleries, museums and art organizations to showcase their local artists alongside our national winners. Artwork and photography will be featured for sale at the prices established by the Artists.

The Foundation’s goal in sponsoring this competition is to promote its version of sustainable forestry practices while assembling the finest display of representational, two-dimensional art and photography depicting forestry and forests. The focus in the jurying is to select paintings and photographs that show the highest quality in craftsmanship, color, and composition and that emphasize a diversity of representational style and subject matter.

All net proceeds go to the Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation whose vision is to establish community-based forests that provide both critical habitat for increased biodiversity and improved economic vitality. The RFFI mission is to acquire, protect, restore, and manage forestlands and other related resources in the Redwood Region for the long-term benefit of the communities located there. RFFI currently owns and operates Northern California’s 50,000 acre Usal Redwood Forest.