Imperial artist wins fifth Nebraska Habitat Stamp contest

Armando Villareal's painting of two wood ducks won the 30th annual Nebraska Habitat Stamp Art Contest. (Nebraska Game & Parks Commission)

LINCOLN -- A painting of two wood ducks by Armando Villarreal of Imperial has been chosen as the winner of the 30th annual Nebraska Habitat Stamp Art Contest.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners chose Villarreal's painting from 26 entries in the adult division of the contest. This is the fifth time he has won the contest making him the most frequent winner in the contest's history.

He also won in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2004. Other finalists in this year's competition were Zachery Even of Sidney who entered a painting of a pair of otters and Jim Miklavcic of Lincoln who entered a painting of a pair of bobwhite quail.

Armando Villarreal, at work in his Imperial art shop. (Grant Strunk/McCook Daily Gazette)

Villarreal's wood ducks painting will appear on the 2008 Habitat Stamp, which is required for all resident hunters age 16 and older and all nonresident hunters. Money raised from the sale of stamps goes directly into the Habitat Fund, which is used for acquisition and enhancement of habitat on state and private lands.

Villarreal will be asked to appear at the Commission's May meeting to accept a $300 cash award from the Omaha Fish and Wildlife Club, which helps sponsor the contest.

Finalists will receive free subscriptions to NEBRASKAland Magazine.

All adult entries are on display through April 30 at the Commission's Lincoln office at 2200 N. 33rd St.

Honorable Mention status was awarded three artists: Julie Crocker of Chapman, Deb Gengler-Copple of Hubbard and Loren Goedeken of Hebron.