OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Calling all student artists… Here’s your chance to showcase your talents.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting the Florida State Fish Art Contest. If you or someone you know is a student in elementary, middle, or high school, you are eligible participate.
FWC partnered with Wildlife Forever and announced there will be two categories this year for the Florida Native Fish Award: saltwater and freshwater fishes. Student artwork should depict one or more fish from the same category:
- Freshwater: largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, channel catfish, Florida gar, chain pickerel, bowfin
- Saltwater: snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, tarpon, mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, hogfish, queen snapper, black grouper
To participate, you must enter an original piece of physical artwork of one of the specified fish, a creative writing piece that is no longer than one page about the fish (required if you are in 4-12 grade), and a Florida State Fish Art entry form. You can submit all your materials here.
Submissions are due on Feb. 28, 2024.
A winner and runner up will be selected for each grade bracket: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade, and grades 10 through 12.
First-place winners in grades 10-12 will receive 10 t-shirts featuring their artwork and will also be available for purchase on The Florida Nomad. First place winners will also have their artwork displayed in the FWC’s fresh and saltwater guides and on display at FWC headquarters located in Tallahassee. All first-place winners will also progress to the National Competition with the opportunity to win top prizes.
“The Florida Native Fish Award is an amazing opportunity to introduce students to some of Florida’s most iconic native fish species in a fun and creative way,” said FWC Commissioner Sonya Rood.
Digital artwork is not accepted.