Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – Alaska certainly loves its salmon, as is evident from the creative and colorful artwork submitted to the annual Alaska Fish Heritage Contest™.
The contest is part of the award-winning Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest, which celebrates 25 years in 2023.
Wildlife Forever, with support from Bass Pro Shops, USDA Forest Service, and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, fosters interest in fish and aquatic conservation.
Young Alaskan artists are encouraged to compete by submitting original artwork featuring red salmon and the unique ways people of Alaska interact with the fish.
The Forest Service – Alaska Region sponsors the Alaska Fish Heritage Award for the contest.
This category celebrates the cultural, recreational, and economic importance of commercial, sport, and subsistence fishing for this year’s species – Sockeye or ‘Red’ salmon.
This year’s overall state winner was 8th grader Joslyn Unger from Valdez.
Her piece, titled Clash of Red and Green, also won a first-place spot in her age group.
First Place
• Bo Bawtinhimer for Mosey; a kindergartener from Moose Pass
• Shoshanah Stewart for Alaska In and Out; a 6th grader from Kobuk
• Joslyn Unger for Clash of Red and Green; an 8th grader from Valdez
Second Place
• Westin LaBrake for Shody; a 2nd grader from Moose Pass
• Quya Stwart for Too Close to Miss; a 4th grader from Kobuk
• Desarose Stewart for A Net Full of Blessings; a 9th grader from Kobuk
Third Place Winners
• Matix Holmes; a 2nd grader from Ketchikan
• Isaak Stewart for Wind, Water & Fish; a 7th grader from Kobuk
“I love seeing these remarkable art pieces showcasing Alaska’s salmon,” commented Alaska Regional Forester Dave Schmid. “I started my career as a fish biologist, and I feel confident that these young artists have certainly captured the spirit, persistence, and beauty of these amazing fish.”
These Alaska winners will go on to compete in the national Wildlife Forever Fish Art™ Contest.
Those winners will be announced sometime in May.
For more information about the Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest, click here.
Source: Kiny Radio