BROOKLYN CENTER, MN:0 Wildlife Forever is pleased to announce the 1st place winners of the 2014 State-Fish Art® Contest will have the opportunity to join talented young artists from across the country at the 16th Annual State-Fish Art EXPO August 15 and 16 at FLW's Forrest Wood Cup in Columbia, South Carolina. Governor Nikki Haley has proclaimed Saturday, August 16 as State-Fish Art Day encouraging all to learn more about the need to protect and preserve our natural resources for future generations.

"Wildlife Forever is thrilled with the warm welcome to host the EXPO in the great state of South Carolina and excited to partner with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR) to welcome guests from around the country for a weekend of fun, recognition and fishing," remarked Douglas Grann, President and CEO.

MITCHELL_SC_GR7_SF14 2A diverse panel of judges selected art winners from a field of thousands as the "the best of the best" in their state and grade category. The cutthroat trout to the left won 1st Place in South Carolina for Grades 7-9!

The "Fish Make You Smarter" essays, accompanying each piece of art, were also judged. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each grade category will receive national awards. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Conservation Division judged the Grade 10-12 Category and will be on hand to award the trophies.

Co-hosted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) the winning artwork and essays will be on display at the at the Columbia Metropolitan Conference Center Friday through Sunday. The public is invited to cast a vote for the People's Choice Award from 10am to 4:30pm on Friday, August 15th. Over 10,500 votes were cast in the online voting period between June 3 and July 14.,

SCDNR is kicking off the event with a southern "Welcome Dinner" Friday evening and taking the kids fishing Saturday morning at the Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery. The Saturday afternoon Awards Ceremony will recognize the winners on stage before the huge crowd. In addition to the 1st Place state awards, the winners of 29 national awards will be announced and awards presented.

"Wildlife Forever is pleased to honor the talented young artists, educators and parents who make the State-Fish Art Contest such a successful program," said Karen R. Hollingsworth, Manager of State-Fish Art. "Together, we are using art to empower a new generation of conservationists. By sharing their fish art with family, friends and the general public, our young people are becoming ambassadors for good stewardship of fish and fishing."

All winning entries can be enjoyed at: http://bit.ly/1ur4FdF

Wildlife Forever's 16th annual State-Fish Art Contest and EXPO is made possible by support from Title Sponsor FLW, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Rapala, Triarco Arts & Crafts, North American Fishing Club, U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, Division of Fish and Aquatic Resources and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

About the State-Fish Art Contest
The Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, presented by FLW, is celebrating its 16th year of bringing children, art and aquatic conservation together. To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any official state-fish and a page of written words detailing its behavior, habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide utilize Fish On!, the FREE full-color State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. It is available on CD, at no charge, and for download at www.StateFishArt.info. Entries are due by March 31st each year. Learn more at www.StateFishArt.org.

About Wildlife Forever
Located in Brooklyn Center, MN, Wildlife Forever's mission is to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. As the nonprofit conservation arm of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club, Wildlife Forever represents the conservation interests of 1.3 million members. Learn more at: www.WildlifeForever.org.

Digital copies of artwork and individual state releases are available upon request.

Contact: Karen R. Hollingsworth
khollingsworth@statefishart.org
651.213.0669