Bust out the paintbrushes and easel—the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will begin accepting original artwork for the 2026 Collectible Conservation Stamp Art Contest on January 2. The subject of the annual contest is the American pika. The art show annually highlights the over 600 species the Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages.
The American pika is known for its ability to communicate with other members of their colony and emit high-pitched warning calls to signal potential threats. While loud in stature, they range from 6.5 inches to 8 inches, and live in habitats from alpine and subalpine habitats to talus fields or rock slide areas near coniferous forests. They are herbivores and cut leaves and plants to create hay piles, which are stored under boulders for winter forage.
There’s actually two contests—one for adults, one for kids. For adults, the winning image will be featured on the 2026 collectible conservation stamp. The top five places receive a monetary award, including $3,500 for the winner. All artwork must be the artist’s original creation and two-dimensional. Photographs, sculptures or other three-dimensional submissions will not be accepted. Entries determined to be biologically inaccurate will be ineligible to win monetary awards, but could earn honorable mention recognition. Complete rules for both contests can be found on the G&F webpage.
Winning and honorable mention entries for both the youth and adult contests will be on display at the Game and Fish’s Cheyenne headquarters for one month. The deadline to submit artwork is Monday, March 31 for adults and Thursday, April 10 for students. Game and Fish will announce the winners and honorable mentions of both contests during an online event in late April. The rulebook for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s 2026 Collectible Conservation Stamp Art Show is available online.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department