Winners from each state will have the opportunity to join talented young artists from across the country at the StateFish Art Expo, July 16-17, at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. All winning artwork will be on display and an awards ceremony will recognize the winners before a large crowd. Each winning artist who attends the Expo will receive great prizes, goodie bags and fishing supplies from Rapala.

"Wildlife Forever is pleased to honor the talented young artists, educators and parents who make the StateFish Art Contest such a successful program," 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 Grade 7-9 division, the winner was Bonny Chen, 9th grader, from Auburn, tarponNational awards to be announced at the StateFish 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 scholarship to The Art Institutes International Minnesota. The first runner-up in grades 10-12 will also receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college. The People’s Choice Award will be determined by a worldwide public online vote at the StateFish Art Contest fan page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StateFishArtContest. Online voting will begin on May 17 and conclude on July 5, with additional votes collected in person at the StateFish Art Expo.

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 the StateFish Art Contest and children’s outdoor education.