By By Chandler Myers
To continue with the theme of fishing this contest might interest those of you who have children with an interest in art.
This interesting contest came through my inbox, and I thought it would be good to share with readers.
Here’s the email:
Young artists in grades 4-12 are invited to enter the 12th Annual State-Fish Art contest. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources teams up with Wildlife Forever to hold a contest for students to draw a state fish. State winners are chosen in grades 4-6, grades 7-9, and grades 10-12 for the national contest. Entries must be postmarked by March 31.
Wildlife Forever handles the details of the contest and awards scholarships, art supplies and fishing gear prizes. Young artists may draw Alabama’s state fish, either a largemouth bass or a “fighting” tarpon, or they may illustrate a state fish from another state. Youth incorporate science into their entry when they write a required composition on the behavior, habitat and conservation of their chosen fish. Details of the contest are found at www.statefishart.com.
Winners are announced May 1 of each year. Last year’s winners from Alabama were from throughout the state. Madelyn Howard, from Citronelle, won for grades 4-6. Taylor Perkins, a Montgomery student, drew a largemouth bass chasing a lure. Anna Riley, who is from Hoover and studies at the Birmingham School of Fine Arts, drew upon her creativity and sketched a pair of largemouth bass as part of the food chain. Birmingham’s Connery Carson won “Best of Show” for the nation in 2005. Past winners of Alabama are shown at www.outdooralabama.com by searching “state fish art.”
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. To learn more or to donate, visit www.wildlifeforever.org.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) 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 .
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com.