The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is proud to announce the 25thth The Anniversary Fish Art Contest is now open. Since 1997, the competition has grown into an internationally recognized youth protection program, attracting thousands of entries from across the country each year.
The FWC will again host the Florida State Fish Art Contest for the state this year. Students from kindergarten through twelfth grade can enter this free competition to win state and national awards and prizes. This program inspires creativity while developing the next generation of anglers and conservationists.
“Fish Art began as an idea to celebrate Minnesota’s state fish, the walleye. Today, students from all over the world participate to learn more about fish, water resources and conservation. We continue to see lives transform as participation in the Fish Art competition serves as building blocks for lifelong stewardship of natural resources,” said Pat Conzemius, President and CEO of Wildlife Forever.
For each grade level (kindergarten through third grades, fourth through sixth grades, seventh through ninth grades, and tenth through twelfth grades), a first place winner and a runner-up will be selected, one for representing the best freshwater fish species and one for the best saltwater fish species. All first place winners advance to the national competition to be judged for grand prizes such as Best of Show. The deadline for entries is February 28, 2023, so start designing today!
To participate, Florida students should submit their entry to Wildlife Forever – Florida Art, which consists of the following:
- An original work of art featuring fish, including one or more of the following Florida native species from the same category:
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- category 1 – Freshwater: Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Red Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Florida Garfish, Chain Garfish, Bowfin.
- category 2 – Saltwater: Snook, Redfish, Spotted Sea Trout, Flounder, Tarpon, Mahi-Mahi, Spanish Mackerel, Hogfish, Queen Snapper, Black Grouper.
- A piece of creative writing, no longer than one page, of the chosen type (required for grades 4-12).
- An entry form for the Florida State Fish Art Contest.
Florida Prices:
- First place winners in grades 10-12 will receive 10 t-shirts printed with their artwork to give away to family and friends from our partner The Florida Nomad and the shirts are also available for sale on their website.
- The artwork of the top two finishers from each grade level and category will be displayed in the FWC Freshwater or Saltwater Identification Guide.
- All first place winners’ artwork will be displayed at FWC headquarters in Tallahassee.
