2008 TAIWAN BEAR OLYMPIC CHALLENGE

The 2008 TBOC committee decided to have this competition to coincide with the 2008 Summer Olympics being held in August 2008 in China. It also wanted to recognize the work of artists that had been invited to participate in another Olympic competition (United Kingdom Teddy bear magazine) which has been cancelled with the closing of the magazine.

Initially one artist per country was invited. The 2008 TBOC decided to make the competition a bigger challenge and include as many artists from around the world limiting the numbers from each country. (Over 32 countries are participating) 3 bear artists from 36 countries around the world have been invited, the artists that have responded to previous mails sent out have been included, some countries only had one artist prepared to take up the challenge. We also included countries that were not represented at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in China August 2008. ( 2008 TBOC Winners are... )

Who benefits and what happens to the entry fee for the 2008 TBOC?
Not only do bear artists get the exposure of their work, the living bears that have inspired bear making artists, will benefit. Proceeds from the 2008 TBOC competition will be donated to the "Asian Moon Bear Rescue Fund in China" URL: www.animalsasia.org