Winners announced for 44th Annual Chincoteague Island Easter Decoy & Art Festival

The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 44th Annual Chincoteague Island Easter Decoy & Art Festival, held April 18–19, 2025, at Chincoteague Combined School. The event featured 76 exhibitors, including decoy carvers, fine artists, photographers, potters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, authors, and culinary merchants from across the country.

Donnie Mason was awarded People’s Choice for Best Carver. Mason, a native of the Eastern Shore, has been carving decoys, shorebirds, songbirds, and Santa figures since 1980. He was named Eastern Shore Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year in 1988 and has competed in shows throughout the region.

Mary Lou Troutman received the People’s Choice for Best Artist for her acrylic paintings of nautical and wildlife scenes. A graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art, her work is displayed regionally by her husband and is part of private and corporate collections nationwide. More information is available at www.maryloutroutman.com.

The award for Best Photograph of Chincoteague or Assateague went to Darcy Cole for her image of Chincoteague Ponies running down a gravel road during a roundup. Cole and her husband, Steve, spend over 300 days each year photographing wildlife in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Their work is featured in identification books, calendars, apparel, and other merchandise, available at www.dscphotography.net.

Jimmy Bowden received the 2025 Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence, presented to an exhibitor selected by a jury of peers for outstanding craftsmanship. Bowden began carving at age 13 under the guidance of renowned carver Miles Hancock, for whom he once worked chopping decoy blanks. He continues to carve working decoys and shorebirds in the Hancock style. More about his work can be found on Facebook at Jimmy Bowden Decoys.

The Chamber also recognized contributions from the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team for organizing children’s activities, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Chincoteague Natural History Association for educational outreach, and Captain E’s Hurricane Grill for food service during the event.

For more information about the Easter Decoy & Art Festival or details on future events, visit www.chincoteaguechamber.com.