Educational Programming at TFFC

Texas Fish Art Contest

Mail Texas entries to:
Texas Fish Art Contest
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
5550 F.M. 2495
Athens, TX 75752

DEADLINE: Entries must be postmarked by MARCH 31, 2021.

The Texas Fish Art Contest is open to all Texas children in grades K through 12. Only one entry per child per year.

Entries Must

  • Include Artwork, a completed entry form, and an essay.
    • K-3 entries do not need an essay but they will be judged and awarded.
    • Artwork and essay should not be attached to one another.
  • Abide by the guidelines below.

Entry Forms Must

  • Use the Texas entry form.
  • Be complete and signed by a guardian or teacher.
  • Have an email and home address for the artist or guardian (so we can contact you in the summer with details about shipping, winning etc.)
  • Be affixed to the back of the artwork using a Clear Glue Stick.
  • Be clear and readable.

Educators

  • In addition to your contact information, please be sure to include the participant or guardian’s email contact and home address on each entry so we can keep in touch directly with state and national winners regarding the summer EXPO and subsequent return of their art or essay.
  • Please complete the “Educator/School” information on the entry form before photocopying and distributing to your students.
  • Please assume responsibility for making ethics part of the overall contest. There is no room for plagiarism in artwork or essay content. Copyright laws do apply.

Art Work Guidelines

  • Sizing is 8"x11" to 9”x12” (23cm x 30cm) and does not exceed ¼” in total thickness.
  • Art is horizontal, without a mat, frame or border.
  • Art depicts any designated fish from the official fish list. See the official fish list for information on all eligible species.
  • Art does not have the artist’s signature, initials or name on the front. Other writing is accepted if it is part of the artwork. (i.e. name of a boat)
  • Art is the artist’s original creation and does not infringe upon copyright laws.
  • All mediums except digitally rendered art and photographs are allowed.
    • NOTE: please spray chalk and pastel entries with a fixative to eliminate smudging. A loose cover sheet may be laid over the face for protection during shipping.

Essay

  • Length is no more than one side of one page.
  • Should show the student’s knowledge, connection to and/or understanding of their chosen fish, its habitat, behavior or conservation needs and issues.
  • Should be original writing in any format.
  • May be handwritten or typed but must be easy to read.
  • Essays may be decorated, have illustrations, or be creative in appearance however, the words should be the focus.
  • Should include the student’s name, grade and state on the back.

Awards and Display

  • All contestants will receive a certificate of participation.
  • Winners will be announced in the spring. • First-place winners from each age group (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) will advance to the National contest.
  • Participants will compete within their own grade category regardless of species submitted.
  • Winning Texas designs will be displayed at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.
  • All winning designs will be displayed on the Fish Art website

Specialty Awards

Some species are eligible for special awards! Learn more about the 2021 Specialty Awards.

Additional Information

  • The Fish Art Contest is not open to the immediate relatives of Wildlife Forever or sponsor employees.
  • Immediate relatives are those living in the same household.
  • It is the contestant's responsibility to inform Wildlife Forever of any change of address for returns.

Wildlife Forever

  • Has the right to use the name and photo of any Fish Art contestant and the art image without compensation.
  • Can retain ownership of all artwork entered in the contest. In order to promote the Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest, products may be produced from winning artwork images. Any monies realized from the sale or licensing of the artwork will be used to support the contest, wildlife conservation, and education initiatives. The winning artists must provide autographs upon request without charge to Wildlife Forever.
  • Retains all winning entries unless returned.
  • Will return all artwork upon request after August 31 of the contest year, if the student provides a self-addressed, stamped 10x13-inch envelope.
  • Will not insure entries it receives or be responsible for loss or damage of the entries.

back to top