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Kazanjian’s art featured in local, national Duck Stamp contest

Hopkinton resident Clifford Kazanjian poses with his work “Resurfaced,” which won the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp competition earlier this year.

Hopkinton resident Clifford Kazanjian was drawn to the Junior Duck Stamp Contest because of its emphasis on accuracy.

“It was a competition that was all about portraying an animal kind of accurately,” said Kazanjian, a senior at Keefe Tech. “I was intrigued by that.”

Kazanjian, who said he tends to focus on scientific illustration in his art, decided to enter the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) contest late last year. After working on his entry from November until February — even spending his entire winter break crafting it — he submitted to the contest and was chosen as best in show out of 78 entries from across the state.

His painting of a red-breasted merganser, titled “Resurfaced,” went on to the national JDS competition but did not earn a placement.

The JDS program is modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp and aims to “grow awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife.” Entries are judged on originality, anatomical accuracy, composition and suitability for reproduction as a stamp.

At the federal level, hunters are required to purchase Duck Stamps to hunt ducks or geese. Funds from sales of the JDS stamps go toward environmental education programs and awards and scholarships to students, teachers and schools.

For his entry, Kazanjian said he picked the red-breasted merganser because of “how visually striking it is” and a desire to showcase a bird from the region. He noted he also embarked on the project to help fill his AP Art portfolio.

Kazanjian said he is “a big animal lover,” and the JDS contest aligned with his own values of conservation. He explained he will be attending the University of New Hampshire this fall to study wildlife and conservation biology. As to whether he’ll enter the Federal Duck Stamp competition next year, he said he was unsure whether the timing would work out for him this summer.

“It’s definitely something I’m considering in the future,” he added.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The School Committee on Thursday held off on a hearing regarding leasing Chromebooks for elementary students and honored vice chair Susan Stephenson at her last meeting with the committee.

According to the latest Main Street Corridor Project update, A.F. Amorello & Sons will be returning over the next two weeks to do initial work ahead of final paving.

Jeffrey Dieter, 56, formerly of Hopkinton, passed away April 30.

The Hopkinton Trails Club will host its next monthly walk Sunday at Upton State Forest.

Town meetings tonight include the Planning Board (7) and Commission on Disability (7).

Photo of the Day

People check out the Hopkinton Garden Club’s annual spring plant sale at the Town Common on a rainy Saturday.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO