Featured Art Piece
A Beautiful Depiction of Canvasbacks
The Waterfowl Festival is honored to announce Texas-based artist Ronnie Wells as the Featured Artist for this year’s 53rd festival and exhibition held in Easton, MD. Mr. Wells will exhibit both sculpture and paintings that he has created specifically for this event.
“Being asked to do the sculpture, as well as the Poster for the Waterfowl Festival,” Ronnie writes, “is one of the greatest honor I have received in my long career.”
As a waterfowl and wildlife-centric artist, Mr. Wells has won numerous awards and exhibited his work in museums and fine art shows across the nation. He was awarded Ducks Unlimited’s Texas Artist of the Year for three years, won Sculptor of the Year at the DU World Wildlife Exposition, and has several permanent installations at the National and Regional DU Headquarters. Permanent works are also exhibited in the Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center located at Bass Pro in Memphis. Mr. Wells monumental bronze sculpture “Gale Winds and Mallards” stands at the entrance of National Ducks Unlimited Headquarters in Memphis, TN.
Mr. Wells’ exhibition will be located in the Artist Pavilion presented by PNC Bank on Harrison Street, across from the Waterfowl Building. His new waterfowl-themed oil painting, ‘Cans In the Decoys’ will be featured on this year’s Waterfowl Festival poster, signed and limited to only 300 copies.
The Waterfowl Festival features over 75 total artists, including Carvers, Painters, Photographers and Sculptors. Participating artists demonstrate a variety of styles and mediums, showcasing works of art depicting waterfowl and wildlife, as well as landscapes, sporting art and maritime subjects—the rich diversity of nature. Exhibitions will be located in the Waterfowl Building, Artist Pavilion presented by PNC Bank (on Harrison Street), Academy Art Museum, Avalon Theatre, and Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. Please stay tuned for further announcements regarding this year’s selected artists.
The Waterfowl Festival is produced in part with support from the Maryland State Arts Council, generous community sponsors and corporate partners. Advance tickets to the event, including VIP and Premiere Night (Nov. 7) passes, can be purchased online: www.waterfowl.org/festival-tickets. Weekend general admission tickets are discounted now thru Oct. 1 for only $20. Volunteers receive free admission. For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, contact us at or call 410.822.4567.
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I thought the use of the decoy was a good way to honor the Ward Brothers, as well as the Canvasback, the King of the Ducks!
“The King of the Ducks” seems perfect for the 2024 sculpture’s focus. Canvasbacks inspire artists and conservationists around the world with their elegance. Well’s large sculpture features three of these beauties enjoying a respite in the splashing waves of their wetland home. The small sculpture features an esinlbe bird coming into land. Whether you are a hunter, an outdoorsman, or a collector of fine art, these pieces will fit great into anyone’s special collection.
Ronnie will be in the PNC Art Pavilion on Harrison Street thoughout the festival. Participants can meet the artist, buy a poster, and have it signed by Wells. We look forward to seeing you and all of our wonderful guests this year beginning on Nov, 7th, 2024. VIP/Premier night tickets will get you the first opportunity to purchase one of these sculptures or prints. Become a VIP and join us for the entire weekend: https://waterfowlfestival.org/premierenight/
Pre-Order “Cans in the Decoys”
Pre-orders can be placed directly through the website and will be available to pick up from our office during the Festival. The pre-order purchase prices have been adjusted to include the associated credit card processing fee. To avoid the transaction fee, please email the office at to pay and mail a check to the office (40 S Harrison St).
Availability is extremely limited, a confirmation email will confirm your order is secure once check/payment is received at the office.