Calling all young artists and budding conservationists! Here’s your chance to combine creativity with environmental awareness in the Fish Art Contest: IGFA Debris Division. Open to students in grades K through12, this exciting competition, organized by Wildlife Forever, invites participants to create stunning artwork that highlights the importance of game fish habitats — using plastic debris from local waterways! The contest aims to inspire young minds to protect our aquatic ecosystems by turning trash into treasure.
How to Enter
Participants must submit their masterpieces by February 28, 2025. The artwork should feature any wild fish species in its natural habitat, excluding goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi, which are not eligible for this contest. The top winner of the IGFA Debris Division will walk away with a $100 IGFA swag package, so get ready to unleash your artistic flair while making a statement about conservation!
Rules for Submission
- Original Artwork: All entries must be hand-drawn creations. Digital or AI-generated art will not be accepted. While participants can use photos, videos, and past Fish Art Contest submissions as inspiration, any exact replicas of existing works will be disqualified.
- Size Requirements: Artwork must not exceed 11×17 inches and should be no thicker than 2 inches.
- No Signatures: To ensure impartial judging, artwork must be free of signatures or initials on the front. Signatures can be added to the back of the piece.
- Creative Writing Component: Students in grades four to 12 must submit a written piece, no longer than one typed page, that demonstrates their knowledge and connection to their chosen fish. This can include illustrations and creative decorations, but the focus should remain on the writing itself. Creative writing is optional for grades K to three and international participants.
Judging and Awards
Winners will be selected from four age categories:
- Kindergarten to third grade (ages 5 to 8)
- Fourth to sixth grade (ages 9 to 11)
- Seventh to ninth grade (ages 12 to 14)
- Tenth to twelfth grade (ages 15 to 18)
In each category, judges will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. All 1st place winners from each state’s age category will advance to the United States National Judging, where they’ll compete for top honors.
This contest isn’t just about art — it’s about raising awareness for conservation. By using plastic debris in their artwork, students can draw attention to the critical issue of pollution in our waterways and the impact it has on marine life. The Fish Art Contest provides a fun, educational platform for young people to express their creativity while learning about fish species and their habitats.
Ready to get started? Gather your supplies, head to your local waterway, and let your imagination run wild. Don’t forget — every masterpiece submitted has the potential to inspire real change!
For more details and to register, visit https://www.theartofconservation.org/fish-art-contest.
