Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest accepts entries

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Wildlife Federation and Creative Ideas are again promoting wildlife education through the arts with the annual Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest.

Students from kindergarten through 12th grade can submit artwork online through a portal on the AWF website, http://www.arwild.org. Artwork must be submitted by March 31. The Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest is free and open to all K-12 students in Arkansas. Visit http://www.arwild.org/art-contest for rules and submission details.

“For 10 years, the Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest has encouraged students in grades K-12 to explore and celebrate Arkansas’ wildlife. The online submission process allows students, teachers and parents the ability to submit a photograph of the artwork online, rather than mail the original artwork in to be scored. The online process has many benefits including expanding to new schools and areas of the state that may not have had the funding to mail the original artwork,” a news release said.

“The Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest encourages youth to explore the outdoors and connect to wildlife through direct observation and recollection,” Terri Lane, AWF executive director, said in the release.

The competition is supported through education grants from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the National Wildlife Federation.

“Participation in this art program enhances and enriches youth’s knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural world and NWF is proud to sponsor it,” Geralyn Hoey, director of Conservation Partnerships with NWF, said in the release.

“Students must highlight wildlife and landscapes that are native to Arkansas. The AGFC Nature Centers are a great place to learn about native species. The Centers are free of charge and offer a variety of educational opportunities for the entire family to explore nature and learn about the wildlife of Arkansas,” it said.

All categories will be ranked and awarded as in previous years. A panel of jurors selects four artworks per grade, first, second and third, along with honorable mention and an overall Best in Show. Winners in each grade will receive cash awards and certificates. Images of the Best in Show and all firstplace winning artwork along with the entire list of winners will be announced in the summer issue of Arkansas Out of Doors magazine, a publication of Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Tentative plans are to have all winning artwork displayed at the AGFC Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center.