Young Arkansans Win State-Fish Art Contest

First posted on 05-13-2010

Three young Arkansas artists won their age divisions in the 2010 State-Fish Art Contest.

Taylor Phillips of El Dorado won the fourth-grade to sixth-grade division, Desirai Myers of Cabot won the seventh-ninth division and Allison Backus of Lakeview won the division for grades 10-12.

“Wildlife Forever is pleased to honor the talented young artists, educators and parents who make the State-Fish Art Contest such a successful program,” said Douglas H. Grann, Wildlife Forever president and chief executive officer. “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.”

The winners from each state are invited to the State-Fish Art Expo July 16-17 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Best of show awards for the top three pieces of artwork in each grade division will be announced, and winning artwork from across the country will be on display.

The best of show winner in the grades 10-12 division will receive a $2,500 scholarship to The Art Institutes International Minnesota. The first runner-up in grades 10-12 will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the school.

The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be selected by online voting at http://www.facebook.com/statefishartcontest. Voting runs May 17-July 5. Votes also will be accepted at the State-Fish Art Expo.

One piece of art will earn the Art of Conservation Stamp Award and will be used on a conservation stamp. Proceeds from the stamp will fund the State-Fish Art Contest and children’s outdoor education. Wildlife Forever, based in Brooklyn Center, Minn., is a nonprofit conservation group that funds work in 50 states to improve and restore habitat, purchase land, conduct research and manage fish and wildlife.

To learn more about the State-Fish Art program and to see art entries from across the country, visit http://www.statefishart.com.