Missouri Youngsters Can Win Tuition Scholarships in State Fish Art Contest

First posted on 01-03-2008

Missouri youngsters can draw top honors in the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest with artworks depicting the channel catfish.

The State-Fish Art Project is an interdisciplinary conservation education program that uses art to spark the imagination of students and foster a sense of discovery of the natural world. It teaches valuable lessons about fish and the need for conservation of aquatic resources.

Entering its 16th year, the State-Fish Art program has two primary components - a comprehensive State-Fish Art Lesson Plan for students in grades 4-12, available free of charge at statefishart.com, and a national art contest that serves as an outreach initiative and showcase for youth in the arts. Through the program, youngsters develop an understanding of fish anatomy, behavior and habitat needs, as well as increased appreciation of the arts. Wildlife Forever promotes the contest and associated curriculum as a great resource for home-school families as well as classroom teachers.

The art contest draws entries from children across the United States.
Students paint or draw their state’s officially designated fish in its natural habitat. Participants also write an essay that describes the fish’s habitat, physical characteristics and behavior. A committee of distinguished judges selects three winners from each state. State winners receive prizes including rods and reels and art supplies. National winners receive tuition scholarships to the Art Institutes International Minnesota.

Winning artwork is posted on the State-Fish Art website and the artists are honored at the State-Fish Art Expo, held annually at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Expo includes an artist workshop, fishing outing, winners’ reception and an awards ceremony.

The entry deadline for the 2007 contest is March 31. For more information about the contest, visit http://www.statefishart.com, or contact Brett Richardson, , (763) 253-0222.

Wildlife Forever is a multi-species non-profit conservation organization that works to preserve America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and scientific management of fish and wildlife species. Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded conservation projects in all 50 states, committing millions of dollars to “on the ground” conservation efforts. To learn more visit http://www.wildlifeforever.org.