Painted Hive Box Contest raises research dollars

Published 9:31 pm Thursday, May 16, 2019

The Nansemond Beekeepers Association is exhibiting the entries for its sixth annual Painted Hive Box Contest at the Suffolk Art Gallery, located at 118 Bosley Ave. This contest was open to all ages and skill levels, including elementary, middle and high school students, as well as adults and professionals, according to the Tuesday press release.

The boxes will be judged, and the winners will receive a monetary award. Additionally, the public is invited to vote for their favorite for the People’s Choice Award.

These painted hive boxes will be sold through a silent auction that will conclude July 19 at the Eastern Apiculture Society Conference. According to the press release, proceeds from the box sales will be donated to educational institutions and individuals for honeybee research.

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“The Painted Hive Box Contest is a wonderful way to introduce honeybee education to the community,” Jane Schweiger, chair of the Painted Hive Box Contest, stated in the press release. Members of the Nansemond Beekeepers Association construct and prime various sizes of beehive boxes in the fall. “We use it as a group activity to introduce new beekeepers and others to woodenware construction, and we have a little fun in the process.”

The painted hive boxes will be on display at the Suffolk Art Gallery through May 25. They will go on to be displayed at White’s Nursery and Garden Center in Chesapeake from May 25 to June 8, and Hampton Roads Wholesalers Inc. in Newport News from June 8 to June 28.

They will be displayed at the Smithfield Farmer’s Market on June 29 for the judging and announcement of award winners at noon.