Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition & Art Festival

The Ward Foundation, the non-profit that operates the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University, and hosts the historic Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition & Art Festival, has made the decision to hold a modified, three-day event — April 22-24, 2022 — in lieu of the regular in-person event at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD. Virtual modification of the competition will resemble the 2021 virtual event, with several exciting new components and competition categories, in addition to the return of live-streamed portions of judging.

Since 1971, the Ward World Championship has attracted hundreds of carvers and thousands of spectators from all over the world. Nearly 30% of the competition’s competitors are international, some traveling from as far away as Japan and Russia. In recent months, international carvers have expressed increasing concerns about their ability to attend an in-person event. It is the opinion of the Ward Foundation and its Board of Directors that a “World Championship” just wouldn’t be the same without competitors and guests from around the world.

“This decision was just as difficult, if not more difficult, of a decision to make as it was last year for us. We have been long-awaiting the opportunity to hold an appropriate celebration of the 50th Ward World Championship; in-person and surrounded by the carvers, volunteers, and friends who have transformed this competition into an international triumph of art and tradition,” said Rich Smoker, Chairman of the Ward Foundation and World Champion decoy maker. “The Ward Foundation agreed that we would be unable to host the competition as planned, especially with the considerable speculation surrounding the participation of our international competitors. Once again, the board of directors unanimously agreed virtually modifying the event was the best, and safest, thing to do.”

There will still be plenty for fans and competitors of the Ward World Championship to look forward to during the weekend of April 22-24. Over the course of three days, the Ward Foundation will host an exciting line-up of carving classes, workshops, demonstrations, and critiques with world-renowned and award-winning artists. Classes will be announced as they are confirmed, but participants can expect a wide range of subjects to choose from.

The virtually modified Ward World Championship will also still have competitive components. Carvers from all over will be able to mail in carvings to compete in more than 20 unique categories that will be judged live, in-person at the Ward Museum. Categories will be available to youth and novice carvers through masters; there will truly be something for every carver - there will even be a World level category!

The Ward World Championship has long hosted the Benefit Art Auction, an auction of wildfowl art for amateur and veteran collectors alike. This auction, which supports the Ward Foundation—including efforts toward an in-person show in 2023—is being moved to an online platform that will enable collectors and enthusiasts to bid on a variety of pieces from the comfort of their own home. There will be two unique online auctions held: one with regular wildfowl art and decoys, as is traditional; and one featuring the winners of the champagne divisions and a rare opportunity to own a piece of Worlds history.

In addition, there will also be a small gathering of Living Legend Award recipients at the museum during the weekend of the competition. An open invitation stands to all classes of Living Legends from the previous nine years. A special honor will be made to the current group of award recipients: Jeff Bounds (Salisbury, MD), Jeff Rechin (Amissville, VA), and Ross Smoker (Selinsgrove, PA). More details about the Living Legend celebration will be announced as it is confirmed.