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White Bear Lake, MN- Wildlife Forever and Title Sponsor Bass Pro Shops are proud to announce the winners of the 2020 State-Fish Art Contest. A distinguished panel of judges selected winners from over 5,000 entries received from 47 states and 32 international countries.
On May 18th, judges from around the world utilized a new online platform to help to select this year’s winners. Artists competed for state, national and international recognition including several unique award categories including the Guy Harvey Award, Fish Migration Award and Invader Crusader Award. Students also competed by submitting a written essay for the Fish Make You Smarter Award.
“This year’s artwork was outstanding. We had a record year of growth providing evidence that art has an unparalleled power to connect and teach,” said Pat Conzemius, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever. “I’m grateful for our members and sponsors who invest in building stewardship and for the dedicated teachers, state hosts and parents who encourage young people all over the world to learn and experience the power of nature.”
Art has been intricately linked to nature for thousands of years. From pictographs on stone walls, to Ding Darling and the creation federal duck stamp program, utilizing art to build connections to nature is at the core of modern conservation. Fish Art captures the wonder and real-life experiences of stories told and lessons learned, inspiring visions for tomorrow.
For many students, the Fish Art Contest is their first experience learning about fish and fishing. 22 years ago, the Wildlife Forever contest was born from a child’s idea that has since inspired tens of thousands of youth to create, learn and become uniquely connected to the outdoors.
About the State-Fish Art Contest: The award-winning Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art® Contest, with support from Title Sponsor Bass Pro Shops, the US Forest Service and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, brings children, art and aquatic conservation together! To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any official state-fish and written words detailing its behavior, habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide utilize Fish On!, the full-color State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. Entries are due postmarked by March 31st each year. Learn more at www.statefishart.org.
And the Winners are…
NATIONAL WINNERS
First Place Grades 10-12: David Hong, Virginia, Brook Trout
First Place GRADES 7-9: Amber Li, Texas, Steelhead Trout
First Place GRADES 4-6: Eva Averin, Utah, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
First Place GRADES K-3: Allison Bu, Maryland, Red Drum
THE ART OF CONSERVATION® AWARD
Hoonsuk (Alex) Yoon, New Jersey, Brook Trout
SETH THOMAS SPRADLIN BEST OF SHOW AWARD
David Hong, Virginia, Brook Trout
GUY HARVEY AWARD
With support from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, the Guy Harvey Award celebrates healthy and balanced ocean ecosystems and the species that live in these marine environments.
Hyeri Chun, New Jersey, Steelhead Trout
FISH MIGRATION AWARD
In partnership with the World Fish Migration Foundation, this award celebrates migratory fish species from around the world and the free-flowing rivers and waters they rely on.
First Place 5-12 YEARS OLD: Kelly Zhong, Georgia, Steelhead Trout
First Place 13-18 YEARS OLD: Elizabeth Hwang, Washington, Arctic Char
All state winners and additional winners from across America and internationally are listed at StateFishArt.org
Digital images in low and high resolution are available upon request. Contact Wildlife Forever to participate and learn about hosting your state’s contest.
About Wildlife Forever: Our mission is to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to investing resources on the ground. Recent audits reveal that 94% of every dollar supports our award-winning conservation programs. Please, Join Today and learn more about the State-Fish Art Contest®, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ and Prairie City USA® at www.WildlifeForever.org.
About Bass Pro Shops®: Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers."
About the USDA Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service is a multi-faceted agency that manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 43 states and Puerto Rico. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Learn more about the Forest Service fisheries program at: https://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fish-wildlife-plants/fisheries-program