Texas State-Fish Art Contest Winners Announced

Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.texas.gov

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Student artists invited to participate in "Art’s Better Outside" event in July — Texas State Artist Sam Caldwell to create original artwork with students

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ATHENS — Officials at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens have announced the winners in the Texas division of the 2010 Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest.

First, second and third-place winners and honorable mentions are awarded in three grade-level divisions: grades 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic funds cash prizes for Texas winners: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for third place in the 10–12 division. Prizes in the 4–6 and 7–9 grade levels are $100 for first; $75 for second; $50 for third. First-place winners also receive a travel allowance for themselves and their family to attend the national contest and exposition, which will take place at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens July 16–17, 2010.

The 2010 winners for grades 4–6 in the Texas division of the contest are: First place, Nasa Xu, Cinco Ranch Junior High, Katy; second place, Michelle Cho, Nolan Middle School, Killeen; third place, Cain Schoenfeld, Cuero Intermediate School, Cuero.

Honorable mentions in grades 4–6 went to: Jousha Torres, Columbus Junior High-Riverside Campus, Columbus; Dakota Miller, Mildred Elementary, Corsicana; Austin Neill, Athens Intermediate School, Athens; Kaylee Chadwick, Cornerstone Christian School, San Angelo; Hannah Wells, Cornerstone Christian School, San Angelo; Kara Langford, Criswell Elementary School, Forney; Alyssa Searcy, Grandview Junior High, Grandview.

Winners for grades 7–9 are: First place, Brady King, homeschool, Livingston; second place, Callie Clayton, Highland Park High School, Dallas; third place, John Herndon, Liberty High School, Liberty.

Honorable mentions for grades 7–9 were awarded to: Leena Gonzalez, Vanguard Academy Charter School, Pharr; Jocelyn Cantu, Vanguard Academy Charter School, Pharr; Jordan Suarez, Vanguard Academy Charter School, Pharr; Ruvi Villareal, Vanguard Academy Charter School, Pharr; Skye Koehl, Columbus Junior High-Riverside Campus, Columbus; Joseph Wilson, Little Cypress Junior High, Orange; Tyler Freeman, Little Cypress Junior High, Orange.

For grades 10–12 the winners in the 2010 Texas division of the State-Fish Art Contest are: First place, Anh Thu Do, Liberty High School, Liberty; second place, Meagan Bishop, Highland Park High School, Dallas; third place, Bonnie Leung, Lake Travis High School, Austin.

Honorable mentions in grades 10–12 went to: Stacey Spitz, Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler; Callie Hudson, Phoenix Charter School, Greenville; Lorenzo Leyva, Del Rio High School, Del Rio; Reina Chen, Plano West Senior High, Plano; Hailey Sowden, Highland Park High School, Dallas; Ana Hernandez, Presidio High School, Presidio; Austin Linkinhoker, Cedar Park.

The public portion of the State-Fish Art Expo will be held July 17, 2010, and will feature fishing, instructional seminars and demonstrations and a display of all the state and national contest winners. Plans are being made for a day-long schedule of events with food booths and outdoor activities and displays that the public can enjoy in addition to viewing the artwork and voting for the People’s Choice Award. The public can also vote for the People’s Choice Award online at http://www.wildlifeforever.org/.

Public admission to the expo and related activities will be included with paid admission to TFFC.

One outstanding piece of artwork each year is selected for the Art of Conservation Award, and a commemorative stamp featuring the artwork is produced for sale. Proceeds from sales of the stamp are used to fund conservation projects. The 2010 winner will be unveiled at the expo.

The expo will include an outdoor fair with food and activities. Artists will demonstrate their craft; some will have their artwork available for purchase.

Texas State Artist Sam Caldwell will display and sell his work and will also create an original watercolor with student assistance during the day. Sculptor Terry Jones of Jewett will display and sell examples of metal sculptures recycled from used objects. Jones’s work has been displayed at the Texas State Fair and is widely collected. Jamie Williams of Meaningful Memories Photography will demonstrate outdoor photography. Potter Brenda Hennesey will demonstrate how to throw pots and let kids get their hands dirty. Members of the Henderson County Art Club will display their work and demonstrate techniques.

Also appearing will be members of the Society for Creative Anachronism demonstrating fly-tying and sword-fighting. The U.S. Forest Service Amigos del Bosque will feature reptile displays (touching encouraged) and fire prevention; Smokey the Bear will be available for hugs and photos.

The State-Fish Art Contest is a project of Wildlife Forever. Located in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Wildlife Forever is a non-profit multi-species conservation organization dedicated to conserving America’s wildlife heritage. Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded conservation projects in all 50 states, committing millions of dollars to "on-the-ground" efforts. Wildlife Forever supports habitat restoration and enhancement, land acquisition, research and management of fish and wildlife populations.

For more information on the State-Fish Art expo, visit tpwd.texas.gov/tffc.

For information on Athens-area lodging, dining and attractions, visit http://www.athenstx.org/.