D23 Members — Here's Your Chance to Become Donald Duck's Official Portrait Artist!

05.26.09 - As many of you know, for more than 50 years, Disney Legend John Hench served as Mickey Mouse's official portrait artist. Last year, in celebration of Mickey's 80th anniversary, the Walt Disney Archives sponsored "Mickey's 80th Anniversary Portrait Competition," a Company-wide search for the next Disney artist who would carry on John's legacy.

Now, to help celebrate Donald Duck's diamond anniversary, D23 pays homage to the popular Mickey Mouse anniversary portraits created by Disney Legend John Hench — while at the same time creating a new tradition for all those artistic D23 members out there. D23 members now have a chance to submit a tribute to their favorite duck, and finalists will be able to see their work displayed in the Fan Art Gallery at the D23 Expo this September 10–13, 2009 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Here are all the details and deadlines for this amazingly "ducky" opportunity to show off your creative talents, as well as your love for our favorite duck! Good duck…oops, LUCK to all!



Guidelines

• Members must submit a sketch of their proposed work to The Walt Disney Archives no later than June 15, 2009. No more than three (3) sketches may be submitted per member. Work will be judged by a panel of creative executives.
  
  
• Artists whose work has been accepted by the panel at the initial sketch stage will be notified by telephone or e-mail on or before July 15, 2009 and must respond to notification. If a response has not been received within ten days of notification, the acceptance will become null and void.
  
  
• Final art must be submitted to The Walt Disney Archives no later than August 15, 2009. Entries received after this date will not be accepted, judged, or returned. From the final artwork received, the panel will select one winner and several runners up, all of whom will have their artwork displayed at the D23 Expo. Those finalists will be notified no later than August 28, 2009.
  
  
• The winning entry will be announced during a special event at the D23 Expo on Saturday, September 12.
  
  

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY: This contest is open to any D23 member in good standing, who is 18 years of age or older.

PORTRAIT SPECIFICATIONS: The final work must be a full-length portrait of Donald, evoking the complex personality of our favorite duck.

Medium: oil, acrylic, or watercolor on canvas
Dimensions: 24"W x 36" H
Notes: May be signed by artist

ELIGIBLE WORK: Works must be original in concept and created solely for this contest. Work may not have been previously published in any form whatsoever. Work done for The Walt Disney Company ("Company") business or with any help from or under the supervision of another person will not be accepted.

ENTRY FORMAT AND FINALIST SELECTION: Initial entries must be original sketches of the planned work in any media and any size selected by the artist.

ENTRY FORMS: Entry forms must be downloaded from the D23 Web site and must be fully completed, signed and affixed to the original sketch(es). Entries submitted without completed forms will not be considered. Entries must be received on or before June 15, 2009. ENTRIES RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED OR RETURNED. D23 is not responsible for late mail deliveries.

SPECIAL NOTE: Upon submission, all entries (sketches and final paintings) become the property of Disney Enterprises, Inc. ("Disney") and may be used in perpetuity at Disney's sole discretion. Artists are responsible for all material costs including packaging and shipping. All finalists selected to have their work displayed at the D23 Expo will be eligible for two complimentary 4-day passes for the 2009 D23 Expo. Click here to download Artwork Submission Form, Artwork Submission Agreement, and Rules and Procedures for Submission of Work.