The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in
partnership with Wildlife Forever, sponsored the 2007 competition, which
uses art to educate a new generation of conservationists. The nationwide
contest encourages young artists to draw and learn about their state fish
and fish from other states as well, and to compete for art scholarships to
attend the Art Institutes International Minnesota. The contest is open to
all students in grades 4-12. Entries are separated into three grade
categories: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Winning contestants from every state are
honored in each category.
“Wildlife Forever is pleased to honor the talented young artists,
educators and parents who make the State-Fish Art Contest a memorable
event,” said Douglas H. Grann, President & CEO of Wildlife
Forever. “Together, we are using art to empower a new generation of
conservationists. By sharing their fish art with family, friends and the
general public, our young people are becoming ambassadors for good
stewardship of fish and wildlife habitat.”
In addition to having their artwork displayed at
www.statefishart.com, winners will have the opportunity to join
talented young artists from across the country at the State-Fish Art Expo
July 21-22 at the Mall of America’s Central Rotunda located in
Bloomington, Minnesota. The Expo will feature a massive art display
featuring all the winning artwork from across the country, an awards
ceremony on July 21, and special recognition at a Minnesota Twins baseball
game on July 22, in the Metrodome.
National awards to be announced at the State-Fish Art Expo include “Best
of Show” honors for the top three pieces of artwork in each grade category
from across the United States. The national “Best of Show” winner in
grades 10-12 will receive a $2,500 tuition scholarship to The Art
Institutes International Minnesota. The first runner-up in grades 10-12
will also receive a $1,000 tuition scholarship to the college. One
outstanding piece of artwork will win the Art of Conservation
Stamp Award and be reproduced as a conservation stamp. Proceeds from the
stamp will be used to fund conservation education and aquatic restoration
projects across America. Additionally, contest winners and their families
will enjoy a field trip to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and a
fishing event with staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This year, the entry rules changed to permit young artists to create an
illustration of any official state fish depicted in its natural habitat.
Additionally, participants were required to include a written composition
on the fish’s behavior, habitat, and conservation. If contestants selected
to depict Alabama’s state fish, they had two choices. Alabama is unique in
that it has two state fish. The largemouth bass is the Alabama state
freshwater fish, and the fighting tarpon is the state saltwater fish. The
2007 Alabama winners all chose the largemouth bass as their subject for
the competition. Information about largemouth bass may be obtained by
contacting the Fisheries Section of the Alabama Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources at 334-242-3471, or by viewing information at
www.outdooralabama.com.
As a resource tool, educators nationwide utilize the full-color
State-Fish Art Contest Lesson Plan, an interdisciplinary educational
supplement specific to aquatic natural resources that includes fishery
lessons and activities, a species identification section profiling each
state-fish, a glossary, and student worksheets. The lesson plan can be
downloaded free from
www.statefishart.com along with contest information.
“This particular competition is an excellent opportunity for students to
explore Alabama's aquatic resources, said Alabama Department of Education
Arts Specialist Sara Wright. “The hands-on process of creating a piece of
artwork not only correlates to the Alabama Course of Study: Arts
Education, but it promotes interdisciplinary learning, which
transcends to a more meaningful learning experience for our students.”
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 conservation efforts. Learn more at
www.wildlifeforever.org.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise
stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources
through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks,
State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about
ADCNR visit
www.outdooralabama.com.
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