For Immediate Release
Contact: Brett Richardson
(763) 253-0222
www.statefishart.com
2006 State-Fish Art Expo Celebrates
Youth from California to Maine
Minnesota Artist Steals Show with Art of Conservation Stamp Honors
Smokey Bear Hands out 5,000 Trees to Mall of America Visitors
Brooklyn Center, MN - Troy Truesdell of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota was awarded the 2006 Art of Conservation Stamp Award, national 'Best of Show' honors and the "People's Choice" Award for his Walleye artwork at Mall of America during the 8th Annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Expo. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty proclaimed July 29th "Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Day" as Smokey Bear and the U.S. Forest Service distributed 5,000 White Spruce seedlings to Mall visitors.
National Best of Show winners:
Grades 10-12 1st Place Troy Truesdell Inver Grove Heights, MN
2nd Place Tiara Jenkins Pittsburg, MO
3rd Place Celeste Governale Fort Bridger, WY
Grades 7-9 1st Place Brie Jenkins Pittsburg, MO
2nd Place Diane Yu Olney, MD
3rd Place Joshua Knepper Conyers, GA
Grades 4-6 1st Place Stella Tu Northbrook, IL
2nd Place Caden Jones Alpine, UT
3rd Place Eric Kang Livingston, NJ
2006 Art of Conservation Stamp Award:
Troy Truesdell Inver Grove Heights, MN
2006 People's Choice Award
Troy Truesdell Inver Grove Heights, MN
"The State-Fish Art Expo is a celebration of America's youth, art, conservation and our fishing heritage," said
Douglas H. Grann, President and CEO of Wildlife Forever. "Americans nationwide are reminded of our natural
abundance through the creative spirit and imagination of these talented young artists. I want to commend the
parents, educators and generous sponsors who have made the Expo a memorable event for these young winners
over the past 8 years and counting."
Commissioner Gene Merriam of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources presented Governor
Pawlenty's proclamation declaring July 29th "Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Day" in recognition of the program's
unique contribution to America's youth, fishing, conservation and education. The Commissioner stated,
"Conservation education will ultimately determine the future of our wildlife heritage." Merriam also showcased
the 2006 Minnesota Fishing regulations cover featuring images from Minnesota State-Fish Art winners.
Minnesota DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam (L),
Troy Truesdell (C), Wildlife Forever President & CEO Douglas H. Grann (R)
Troy Truesdell, a graduating senior at Simley High School, said, "This is an awesome honor that I did not expect. I'm a Walleye and Largemouth Bass fisherman and I learned about the need to conserve fish habitat through participating in the State-Fish Art Contest. To win a 'hat trick' of national awards is just a bonus."
Tom Mackin, President of Rapala, personally congratulated each of the winning artists prior to the awarding of prizes including Rapala rods and reels, gift certificates for art supplies from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, blue ribbons and other fun items.
According to Mackin, “At Rapala, we are interested in supporting innovative programs that bring young people into the fishing community, and the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest is helping us reach a new generation of anglers. We are pleased to be sponsors and provide Rapala rods, reels and lures so the 2006 Expo attendees can enjoy America's fisheries on a local river or lake."
The 8th Annual Art of Conservation™ Stamp design was unveiled during the Awards Ceremony in Mall of America's Central Rotunda. The stamp design was chosen by the State-Fish Art Contest judges as “art gallery quality”. The new commemorative stamp sheet featuring the artwork of Truesdell and the 2005 design winner Tiara Jenkins was made available to the public. As the federal government uses the proceeds from the federal duck stamp to fund wetlands conservation, sales of Wildlife Forever’s Art of Conservation™ stamps have funded conservation education and fishery projects across America.
“With the Art of Conservation™ stamps and the help of the U.S. Postal Service,” said Grann, “the State-Fish Art Expo will spread the good news of conservation while generating funds for fisheries conservation.”
Expo festivities included an Awards Ceremony in the Mall's Central Rotunda to recognize winners representing 28 states. The Expo attendees enjoyed a field trip to The Art Institutes International Minnesota for a luncheon and special art workshops with the faculty from the college.
The winning artists also celebrated during a special ceremony on the playing field of the Metrodome before the Minnesota Twins July 30th game against the Detroit Tigers. The winners and their families received free entry to the game compliments of the Twins.
The winner of the 2006 State-Fish Art Expo attendees on
Minnesota Twins playing field.
Smokey Bear and the U.S. Forest Service participated in the 2006 State-Fish Art Expo to help educate attendees about two important conservation practices, planting trees and halting the spread of aquatic invasive species. In addition to benefiting wildlife habitat, the 5,000 White Spruce seedlings distributed at Mall of America will sequester nearly 600 tons of carbon dioxide over the next 10 years, helping to combat global climate change and conserve America's natural resources for future generations.
About the State-Fish Art Contest
The Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest encourages young artists nationwide to create an illustration of their state-fish and a written composition on behavior, habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized by grade level: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Up to three winners are selected from each state and invited to Mall of America in Minnesota to be honored at the State-Fish Art Expo.
Judges for the 2006 State-Fish Art Contest included Joseph L. Marzano of The Art Institutes International Minnesota, Scott Grieve, Chairman of Wildlife Forever's Board of Directors, Kelly Hedtke of Rapala, Roland Sigurdson of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Kevin Robb of Mall of America.
Press Room - Photos Available
For more information on the State-Fish Art Contest and Wildlife Forever, or to download photos from the 2006 State-Fish Art Expo and Art of Conservation™ Stamps, visit the Wildlife Forever Press Room.
About Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Forever is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat, and management of fish and wildlife. Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded conservation projects in all 50 states, committing millions of dollars to on-the-ground efforts.
Sponsors for the 8th annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest
Collectors and conservationists can purchase any of the Art of Conservation™ stamp products by visiting the Wildlife Forever web store or by contacting Wildlife Forever at: (763) 253-0222. Mail orders should be sent to Wildlife Forever, 2700 Freeway Blvd., #1000, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. All shipping is free.
For information on the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, visit www.statefishart.com, America Online (Keyword: Fishart) or call toll-free at 1-877-Fish-Art. Digital copies of winning artwork available on request. Contact: Brett Richardson at (763) 253-0222 or brichardson@wildlifeforever.org.
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