MOSES LAKE - Teachers: I promise to get this information out to you earlier next year, but there is still time to enter this contest. If you know a talented young artist, consider introducing them to the contest and assist them in bundling the portfolio.

Back in 1996 fifth-grader Kate Di Leo conducted some research on the Minnesota state fish. She discovered each state had a state fish, but little information existed about the state fish in the different states.

Then Kate and her father, Sal, decided it would be interesting to have some sort of event to educate students, teachers and parents on the fish designated by each state as the state fish, along with water conservation and resources. The pair consulted with Wildlife Forever and the State Fish Art Contest became an annual competition three years later.

The first contest, 1999, saw several hundred pieces of fish art from 40 states. Plus each piece of art was accompanied with an essay about the state fish.

The contest has grown to include thousands of participants from all over the nation. The deadline is March 31, yes just a few days from now, but there is still time. The contest consists of three categories: Grades 4 through 6, Grades 7 through 9 and Grades 10 through 12.

So here are the rules: Each portfolio must include both the artwork and an essay.

Artwork:

"The artwork must call attention to any officially designated state-fish. The Washington State Fish is the steelhead, but a participate may use the official state fish from any state as their subject. For example, a Washington student could paint a largemouth bass, which is the state fish of Indiana.

The fish must be depicted in its natural habitat. Portfolios will be judged on the quality of the artwork. The artwork must be the contestant's original, hand-done creation. Photographs and computer-generated artwork will not be accepted.

The artwork must be horizontal, 8.5 inches by 11 inches without a mat, frame, cover sheet, or border. The artwork must not exceed 1/4 inch in total thickness. Art techniques may include scratch-board, pointillism, chalk, charcoal, colored pencil, acrylics, dry brush, watercolor, crosshatch, lead, collage, linoleum printing, or crayon. If contestants use chalk or lead they should seal it with an adhesive.

No lettering, signatures, or initials may appear on the front of the design. Any artwork with such identifying characteristics will be disqualified and eliminated from the competition."

Essay:

"The essay or is not to exceed one page in length. It should be related specifically to the characteristics of the state fish, its habitat, behavior, or efforts to conserve it. The essay must include the student's name and address."

How to enter:

Prepare a portfolio consisting of an entry form, a one-page essay with the artists name and address and the original artwork.

The entry form will not be accepted by e-mail and it must be completed and signed by a parent, teacher or guardian. The portfolio must be postmarked no later than March 31, next Thursday.

Awards and prizes

A panel of judges will consist of wildlife artists, outdoor writers, fisheries specialists and they will pick one winning work of art in each category from each state. The winners are honored at the Annual State-Fish Art Expo each summer, this year it will be at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, TX on June 24 and 25.

Those able to attend the Expo will be recognized on stage and will receive a fishing rod and reel combo set. In addition, a first, second and third place National Award will be presented in each of the three grade categories. Also the Seth Thomas Spradlin Best of Show Award will be awarded.

A single piece of art is designated as the Art of Conservation Stamp Award and is used for the Wildlife Forever Conservation Stamp. The stamp is considered collectible and are available in formats, such as singles, sheets, blocks and first day of issue pictorial cachets.

Next is the People's Choice Award, which allows people from around the country to vote online, beginning in early May and continuing at the Art Expo.

This year the authorities will initiate the Annual Smile Award, given to one piece of art selected from all of the entries. The principle of this award is easy: The artwork brings a smile and makes you feel good inside.

Contest hints:

Do not attach the essay to the artwork. Affix your entry form to the back of your artwork by using a glue stick. If you can't find a canvas of the required size, 8.5 by 11 inches, use the next larger size and center an area of the correct size for your artwork.

The entry form and additional contest information is available at: www.wildlifeforever.org/contest