Texas Fish Art Contest Rules

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 February 28

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 a creative writing piece.
- K-3 entries do not need a creative writing piece, but they will be judged and awarded.
- Artwork and creative writing piece must be mailed in together.
Abide by the artwork guidelines below.

Use the online 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 clear and readable.

In addition to your contact information, please be sure to include the participant's or guardian’s email address and home address on each entry so we can contact state and national winners directly regarding the summer Texas Fish Art Celebration and the subsequent return of their art or essay.
Please complete the “Educator/School” information on the entry form before photocopying and distributing it 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.

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.
Artwork must feature a wild fish found in Texas. Please use the resources below to choose a species.

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.

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.
One creative writing piece from each age group will advance to the National Contest.
Participants will compete within their grade category regardless of the 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

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

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 the Texas Fish Art Contest Coordinator of any change of address for returns.
If your artwork advances to the National Level, it will be returned after the Texas Fish Art Celebration in the Summer. If your artwork does not advance to the National Level, it will be returned following judging in the Spring. All artwork is returned free of charge.

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 not insure entries it receives or be responsible for loss or damage to the entries.