The Judges Have Made Their Decisions!

See This Year's Winners Now.

2009 State-Fish Art Expo

The 11th annual State-Fish Art Expo will be held on August 1st, 2009 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.

New 2009 Host Hotel

Click here to book your State Fish Art vacation get away

  Last year's 10^th Anniversary Expo was better than ever. The U.S. Forest Service mascots Smoky Bear and Woodsy Owl  welcomed the winners and helped draw a record mall crowd.

Click on the Media Live-well below for up-to-date press releases.

Media Live-well.

Deadline for Entries is March 31, annually. Get started today.

Entry forms here

 About the State-Fish Art Project

The Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Project is an interdisciplinary conservation education program that uses art to spark the imagination of students and foster a sense of discovery of the natural world.  The State-Fish Art Project provides valuable lessons about fish and the need for conservation of aquatic resources.  Entering its 11th year, the State-Fish Art program has two primary components: 1) the comprehensive State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, Fish ON! for students in grades 4-12, available free of charge at www.statefishart.com, and 2) a national art contest which serves as an outreach initiative and showcase for youth in the arts.   Upon completion of the lesson plan students will have gained an understanding of a fish’s anatomy, behavior, and habitat needs, as well as increases appreciation of the arts. 

About the State-Fish Art Contest & Expo

The State-Fish Art Project culminates with a national art contest for children across the United States.  Students paint or draw their state-fish in its natural habitat.  Participants also write an essay that describes the fish’s habitat, physical characteristics and behavior.  The deadline for entering the contest is March 31^st with state awards announced on May 1^st.  A committee of distinguished judges selects three winners from each state.  Winning artwork is posted on the State-Fish Art web site and the artists are honored at the State-Fish Art Expo, held annually at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.  The Expo includes an artist workshop, fishing outing, winners’ reception, and a special awards ceremony.  Winning contestants and their art entries are showcased at the national Expo and on the State Fish Art website.  National honors are awarded each year at the Expo and include the People's Choice Award’, National ‘Best of Show’ award, and The Art of Conservation™ Stamp Award. 

  About Wildlife Forever

Wildlife Forever is a multi-species non-profit conservation organization that works to preserve America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and scientific management of fish and wildlife species.  Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded over 800conservation projects in all 50 states, including Canada and Mexico, committing millions of dollars to “on the ground” conservation efforts.  Learn how to support youth conservation education and become a member, go to www.wildlifeforever.org. 

The Art of Conservation™ Stamp Award

“Art of Conservation” Award

2008 Winner

Seth Spradlin-Indiana

Each year Wildlife Forever will select one design from all the entries for an interesting, useful and attractive fish stamp. Criteria for selection of the special “Art of Conservation” award follows:

• The state fish should be the dominant feature of the design.
• The habitat must be appropriate for your species and state.
• Designs may include fishing related items.
• Keep the design simple.  The image will be reduced to create a stamp.
• Color will be given priority over black & white.
• Do not make the design look like a stamp.  No numbers or design elements are allowed.
• All rules, regulations and deadlines of the State-Fish Art Contest apply.
• Click here to see all the stamps

Art Institute International Scholarship Awards

The Art Institutes International Minnesota is a proud sponsor of the State Fish Art program. Awarding the winners with scholarships up to $2,500.

Smoky Bear Hands Out 5,000 White Spruce Trees

The U.S. Forest Service, with the help of Smoky Bear, will hand out 5,000 white spruce trees to Expo attendees and happy Mall of America shoppers. Encouraged to plant and nurture, these trees will be a great way to remember Expo and the message of conservation.

Fighting against invasive species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will display an exhibit demonstrating invasive species that threaten our nations watersheds. A live sea lamprey will be on display. Click here to learn about the sea lamprey.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Winning artists and their families will be treated to a fishing clinic and then had a chance to try out their new fishing knowledge with a fishing trip to the Minnesota valley National Wildlife Refuge.

 Learn about Wildlife Forever

To learn about Wildlife Forever and how you can make a difference in wildlife conservation, please go to the Wildlife Forever web site.

To learn more about the history of the State-Fish Art Contest, read the State Fish Art Contest Special Report from Cry of the Wild.

For more information on the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, give us a call at (763) 253-0222 or email us with your questions and comments.

Commemorative Art of Conservation Stamps Unveiled

View the Sheet of Stamps

Order Your Commemorative Sheet Today and start your collection.

View the New 2008 Design 

Don't know your state fish?

Kids (and adults too) can learn more about the state fish here! They can also learn about the anatomy of many different fish!

Click on our sponsors link!