TINY BIRD ART 2026 RESULTS
Over $17,000 raised! This is our highest ever. Thank you so much to all our bidder Bog Buddies! 219 bidders from 34 states and Ontario.
And Huge Thanks to all our talented bird artists! This year there were 181 art pieces from 104 artists from 14 states and the country of Chile.
The TOP 10 pieces that sold for the most are shown here. Number one was the Great Gray Owl peaking around the tree trunk by Barbara Maier of Duluth. That Tiny Bird Art garnered $500!
The breakdown for Winning Bids is below:
1—$500 or more
5—$400-$499
1—$300-$399
13—$200-295
39—$100-$199
Fantastic diversity of Sax-Zim Bog birds with 69(!) total species depicted in the art.
8 species of owls, 10 species of warblers, all 5 corvids. Here is the breakdown of the most represented species:
16—Great Gray Owl (total of 55 pieces depicting owls or 30% of all submitted art)
13—Black-capped Chickadee
9—Boreal Chickadee
9—Northern Saw-whet Owl
7—Snowy Owl
6—Common Raven
5—Redpoll
5—Northern Cardinal
4—Boreal Owl
4—Long-eared Owl
4—Barred Owl
4—Pine Grosbeak
4—Northern Shrike
Here are the Top 10 highest-selling pieces for TBA 2026!
The TOP SELLER at $500 raised:
“Great Gray”—Original artwork by Barbara Maier of Duluth, MN; Acrylic; 5″ x 4”
“My family has been coming to the bog for about 10 years now, since moving to Duluth. I’ll never forget the first time we saw our first great grey owl. My sons were not much into birding until after that day. Now birding has become an important part of their lives where they now live. Whenever they are in town for a visit, we make it a point to go to the bog a few times, completing our checklists and hoping to see an owl, which many times we do. I contribute to give back and preserve the wonder of all the beautiful birds and natural surroundings of the Sax Zim Bog.”
You can SEE ALL THE SOLD TINY BIRD ART pieces HERE (and the dollar amount they sold for)
Number 2 Top Seller at $455 raised:
“Black-and-White Warbler”—Original artwork by Ellen Brown of Duluth, MN; Colored Pencil on Drafting Film; 7″ x 7” framed
Artist statement: I’m a science writer and colored pencil artist living in Duluth, Minnesota. My artwork is rooted in close observation and a deep appreciation for birds — not only for their beauty, but for what they reveal about the places we live and the health of the ecosystems we share. I’m grateful to be a part of this auction to support Sax-Zim Bog and its remarkable birdlife.
Number 3 Top Seller at $425 raised:
“Great Horned Owl Portrait”—Original artwork by Rita Morgan of Rogers, MN; Pastel pencil; 5″ x 5”
Artist statement: Rita Morgan is an award-winning self-taught artist. I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon. I’ve had a lifelong fascination with owls, and as a Naturalist and Park Ranger, I have led many educational programs and owl-calling night hikes. I paint in acrylics, and draw with charcoal, micron pens, colored pencil and pastels. My style is realistic, and I know a piece is finished when it seems to come alive for me.
Number 4 Top Seller at $420 raised:
“Little Hunter”—Original artwork by Sandy Hokanson of Rochester, MN; Acrylic; 5″H x 5″W x 3/4” Deep
Artist statement: I find inspiration, order and mystery in the infinite combinations of energy and color our natural world creates. I spend a lot of time observing birds, both at my backyard feeders and on walks in nearby natural areas. I take a lot of photos for reference and when I get back to my studio I sketch little drawings of what I want to do. I often create work digitally, but still do a few “traditional” style paintings as well. It never gets boring!
Artist website: https://hokanson-art.square.site/
Number 5 Top Seller at $410 raised:
Original artwork by Jeffrey Saffle of Lake Elmo, MN; Wood marquetry; 7″ x 7″
Artist statement: I am a retired surgeon. We first came to sax-zim during the great irruption of 2003-04 and have loved it ever since
Number 6 Top Seller at $410 raised:
“Silent Wing” Original artwork by Joel Pieper, of Minneapolis, MN; Oil; 5″ x 7″
Artist website: #joelkpieper
Artist statement: I love birds and happy to support Sax-Zim !
Number 7 Top Seller at $345 raised:
“Snowy Owl Sunset”—Original artwork by Alex Lehner of Ashland, WI; Acrylic Marker; 6×8 with frame
Artist website: @alexlehnerart
Number 8 Top Seller at $295 raised:
“Yellow Warbler”—Original artwork by Ellen Brown of Duluth, MN; Colored Pencil; 7″ x 7” framed
Artist statement: I’m a science writer and colored pencil artist living in Duluth, Minnesota. My artwork is rooted in close observation and a deep appreciation for birds — not only for their beauty, but for what they reveal about the places we live and the health of the ecosystems we share. I’m grateful to be a part of this auction to support Sax-Zim Bog and its remarkable birdlife.
Number 9 Top Seller at $260 raised:
“Great Gray Owl Portrait”—Original artwork by Rita Morgan of Rogers, MN; Pastel pencil; 5″ x 5”
Artist statement: Rita Morgan is an award-winning self-taught artist. I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon. I’ve had a lifelong fascination with owls, and as a Naturalist and Park Ranger, I have led many educational programs and owl-calling night hikes. I paint in acrylics, and draw with charcoal, micron pens, colored pencil and pastels. My style is realistic, and I know a piece is finished when it seems to come alive for me.
Number 10 Top Seller at $260 raised:
“Hawk Owl in Bog Country”—Original artwork by Jim Rataczak of Circle Pines, MN; Watercolor; Art 5″ x 7″, Mat 8″ x 10”
Artist website: Instagram: rataczakartist www.jimrataczak.com
Artist statement: Hawk-owls are one of my all-time favorite birds. Seeing one perched atop a stunted spruce top epitomizes the feeling of wild austerity in a bog country winter.
You can SEE ALL THE SOLD TINY BIRD ART pieces HERE (and the dollar amount they sold for)
Here is the Link to the 2026 Tiny Bird Art Auction!
Submissions have now closed! WE WILL START TAKING SUBMISSIONS FOR TINY BIRD ART 2027 IN SEPTEMBER 2026.
STEPS TO SUBMITTING ART
- Create an ORIGINAL piece of bird art that is 6×6″/5×7” or smaller (see details/rules below)
- Go to link above and fill out the form completely
- Email 2-3 photos of your art to info@saxzim.org (The jpeg file name must include your name and the species shown in your art piece. PLEASE SEND MULTIPLE PHOTOS IF FRAMED…ONE SHOWING UP CLOSE OF THE ART AND ALSO A COUPLE WIDER SHOTS SHOWING THE FRAME AND A SIDE VIEW TO SHOW DEPTH. File size must be at least 1024 pixels on the longest side.)
- Mail actual artwork to Tiny Bird Art c/o Lori Williams, 617 Irving Place, Duluth, MN 55812 Between September 15, 2026 and January 10, 2027 (Sooner is better!)
These original works of art will be featured on our website from when we receive them until when the Online Auction begins
ONLINE AUCTION WILL RUN FROM 8am CST THURSDAY JANUARY 21 TO 6pm SUNDAY JANUARY 24, 2027.
HOW?: You create an original piece of bird art (Any medium EXCEPT PHOTOGRAPHY) that measures 6×6”/5×7” or smaller (NO EXCEPTIONS)(8×10 including the matte or frame). Why this size limitation? Because we have to mail these out to winners and we use envelopes or small/medium boxes.
If you have questions, please email Sara at info@saxzim.org.
WHAT?: All we ask is that the artist create an ORIGINAL piece of bird art. Must be 2-Dimensional (no carvings, sculptures) and be able to be mailed in an envelope or a small/medium box. No prints, reproductions, copies allowed. NO ART APPLIED TO FUNCTIONAL ITEMS ALLOWED (eg. No birds painted on lightswitch covers; No bird applique applied to oven mitts or potholder) You must submit the original art piece.
Art does not need to be framed…But it will fetch a higher price if it is. Small pre-made canvases available at art supply stores are great. Unmatted art on paper generally does not sell and will not be accepted. Please use a matte or frame if submitting art on paper.
SUBJECTS ALLOWED: Only birds found in the Sax-Zim Bog…Boreal birds preferred. OWLS are always popular (Great Gray, Hawk Owl, Boreal Owl, Saw-whet Owl), but any boreal bird including Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, White-winged Crossbill, Sharp-tailed Grouse, warblers, magpies, redpolls, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Shrike, PIne Grosbeak, etc. is great. You can see our Sax-Zim Bird List here. Birds MUST be a recognizable species! No generic birds will be allowed.
MEDIUMS ALLOWED …Oils, Watercolor, Pencil, collage, wood marquetry, cut paper, stained glass…whatever! Small canvases are sold at many art supply shops including Michaels. Must be 2-dimensional (no carvings, no sculptures). Only BIRDS as subjects. NO PHOTOGRAPHY please. ONLY ORIGINAL ART ACCEPTED. NO prints or reproductions please.
HOW MANY CAN I SUBMIT?: We ask that each artist submitting for the first time only send 1-3 original pieces. Artists that have submitted in the past may submit up to 6 original pieces. (FOSZB Tiny Bird Art committee has the disgression to bundle 2 or more pieces of artwork when deemed appropriate).
WHEN?: As soon as possible! But we are flexible. Please fill out your online submission no later than January 10, 2027…but, as we said, sooner is great! Remember, the earlier you get us your art, the longer it will be on online display for the public.
WHERE?: Mail art to Tiny Bird Art, c/o Lori Williams, 617 Irving Place, Duluth, MN 55812. Must be received by Lori between September 15, 2026 and January 10, 2027 or it will not be included in the auction.
INCLUDED IN PACKAGE?: artwork plus your name and contact info (All other info will be entered by you on our submission form via the link below).
***Any art that does not meet the above criteria will not be eligible for the Tiny Bird Art auction but remains the property of FOSZB to be sold at an in-person fundraiser in the future.
DONATION: All art will be considered a donation and will not be returned. All online auction proceeds will go towards our Mission to Preserve & Protect the Greater Sax-Zim Bog.
RIGHT TO USE: By submitting an entry, artist grants permission to the use of the artwork, or images/videos of the artwork, for non-commercial educational or promotional purposes for Friends of Sax-Zim Bog with attribution to the artist. For example, images may be shown in displays, publications, webpages, presentations, videos or on social media.
All proceeds from this auction will go towards our Mission to Preserve & Protect the Greater Sax-Zim Bog.
Thank you in advance!
For questions please contact Sara at info@saxzim.org.
GALLERY OF ART SUBMITTED FOR PREVIOUS TINY BIRD ART AUCTIONS
