St. Marys, Pa.:  Illustrator Matt Higgins of Fox Township, Pa., is the visiting artist at the Ruffed Grouse Society’s (RGS) Upland Bird Hunt held at the Red Fern on Saturday, November 8, in St. Marys, Pa.

Matt has been illustrating for decades but only recently decided to become more business oriented with his work.  Matt specializes in Pennsylvania wildlife and history.  He has completed illustrations of pets, house portraits, historical scenes, and unique landscapes.  Matt will be showcasing an original work of his choosing at the Grand Banquet on Saturday, 11/8.  Members of the public can attend the Grand Banquet of the Upland Bird Hunt that Saturday by contacting jedhamberger@gmail.com.

Matt was selected as the winning artist for the 2024 PA Waterfowl Stamp with his illustration of a pair of breeding plumage hooded mergansers. 

Every November, the northern region of Pennsylvania is the cornerstone of the Ruffed Grouse Society’s Upland Bird Hunt in the Pa Wilds.  And every year the Ruffed Grouse Society invites a special, nationally or regionally recognized, artist to showcase the upland hunting life through their art form.  Each artist is invited to the log cabin-theme Red Fern Conference Center in St. Marys, Elk County, to highlight their art during the “Meet the Artist” Grand Banquet on the Saturday of the Upland Bird Hunt.  Hunters can actively interact with the visiting artist as they finish an art piece related to upland hunting.  The completed art piece is then auctioned off that evening. 

Matt can be contacted by email at mahiggins66@gmail.com, or check out his Facebook Page, Matt Higgins Art.

Note to reporters:  Photo 1 – Matt Higgins 2024 PA Waterfowl Stamp.