Virginia Beach, VA – The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum (AWHM) is honored to announce a once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating the artistry and legacy of renowned decoy carver Mark McNair, widely regarded as “the most celebrated living practitioner of duck decoy carvers” and “the dean of contemporary decoy carving.”
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, AWHM will commemorate both its 30th anniversary and the 130th anniversary of the historic DeWitt Cottage, the last original beach cottage on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The evening’s guests of honor will be Mark McNair and his family, including sons Ian and Colin McNair, both accomplished carvers in their own right, carrying forward the family tradition.
As a centerpiece of the celebration, the museum will unveil the largest public exhibit of Mark McNair’s work ever assembled, featuring pieces collected over nearly 50 years by devoted collectors Mark and Margie Cromwell. This extraordinary collection offers an unmatched view of McNair’s evolution as an artist and his influence on the world of American folk art.
Ian McNair, “Spring Island Blue-Winged Teal” Decoy
McNair began carving more than five decades ago in Guilford, Connecticut, inspired by a single decoy in a friend’s home. From that spark, he built a legendary career, known for merging beauty and function—each piece a work of art that also floats and performs like a true working decoy. Now based on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, McNair continues to carve in a bayside workshop that reflects his deep connection to the waterfowling traditions of the region.
To honor this legacy, AWHM will host an exclusive fundraising auction, including a one-of-a-kind decoy carved by Mark for the occasion, along with original works from Ian and Colin. These pieces represent a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire highly coveted carvings in a charitable 501(c)(3) setting. Support provided by Copley Fine Art Auctions.
This limited-ticket event will allow guests to meet the McNair family, explore the expansive exhibit, and hear firsthand the stories and inspiration behind their work. It promises to be a landmark moment in the museum’s history and a tribute to one of the greatest living figures in American folk art.
Ticket availability is limited.
Here are details on the event and auction:
- Event: Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum Celebration
- Auction: Online Auction Details
“Mark McNair is the dean of contemporary decoy carvers. We have all the great masters here at the Shelburne Museum: Albert Laing, Elmer Crowell, Charles ‘Shang’ Wheeler… and it really speaks to Mark’s place within this field that he is the only living artist we have in the museum’s collection.” — Kory Rogers, The Francie and John Downing Senior Curator of American Art, Shelburne Museum, Vermont
Colin McNair, “A Little Mermaid,” 51 inches long