For Immediate Release
Contact: Brett Richardson
(763) 253-0222
www.statefishart.com
8th Annual State-Fish Art Expo
July 29-30, 2006 at Mall of America
Fun-Filled Weekend of Youth Art, Fish and Major League Baseball
Art of Conservation™ Stamp Release &
Smokey Bear To Hand Out FREE TREES to First 5,000 Visitors
Brooklyn Center, MN - Wildlife Forever will host young artists from throughout the United States in the Central Rotunda of Mall of America during the 2006 State-Fish Art Expo on July 29-30. Smokey Bear and the U.S. Forest Service will hand out free White Pine tree seedlings to the first 5,000 visitors.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed July 29th as the official “Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Day” in Minnesota in recognition of youth, fishing, conservation and education. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Gene Merriam will be present to congratulate young winners from Maine to California and states in between.
The winners of the 2006 State-Fish Art Contest will be honored in an Awards Ceremony on July 29th at 10 AM before a large Mall crowd. A massive art display will feature all the winning artwork from across the country. Prizes include rods, reels and fishing tackle from Rapala and gift certificates for art supplies from Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, plus blue ribbons and other awards.
National ‘Best of Show’ winners will be announced during the July 29th Awards Ceremony at approximately 11 AM in three grade categories (4-6, 7-9 and 10-12). All three top winners will be present at Mall of America to receive their trophies and national recognition, providing terrific photo opportunities of smiling winners.
According to Douglas H. Grann, Wildlife Forever’s President & CEO, “The State-Fish Art Expo is the culmination of the contest that uses visual art to provide important conservation lessons in a way that truly resonates with America’s youth. We look forward to seeing the students’ artwork on display at Mall of America and recognizing the accomplishments of the young artists and conservationists.”
The 8th Annual Art of Conservation™ Stamp design will be unveiled during the Awards Ceremony at approximately 11:25 AM. The stamp design was chosen by the State-Fish Art Contest judges as “art gallery quality”. The winning artist who created the design will be present to receive the Art of Conservation™ Stamp Award. 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.”
The public will have the opportunity to help choose the winner of the ‘People’s Choice Award’, sponsored by Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, by casting votes for their favorite piece of art. Voting begins at 10 AM and runs until 3:30 PM. The ‘Peoples’ Choice Award’ will be announced at 5:30 PM on July 29th in Mall of America’s Central Rotunda.
Additional activities on July 29th will include a field trip to The Art Institutes International Minnesota. Faculty from The Art Institutes International Minnesota will host an Art Workshop and luncheon for the winners.
The Minnesota Twins will host the artists and their families as the Twins face the Detroit Tigers in the Metrodome on July 30th. Winning artists and their artwork will be recognized on the playing field before the game in a special ceremony.
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 2005 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 include The Art Institutes International Minnesota, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Mall of America, Minnesota Twins, North American Fishing Club, Rapala and the U.S. Forest Service.
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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