Spring Break Youth Art Contest Winners, 2021!

Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for our first annual Spring Break Youth Art Contest!

The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are pleased to announce a brand new 2021 Spring Break Youth Art Contest, which is open to K-8th grade students—residing in the Ridgefield School District, Clark County and the Portland-Metro area (Cowlitz and Wahkiakum and Multnomah Counties as well – if you are not sure, please ask), including those who are homeschooled or belong to a youth/art program. The contest is an activity aimed at Spring Break 2021, to encourage youth to get outside or visit the Refuge during the break. If you do head to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, don’t forget to pay your entrance fee, enter your pass number or purchase a pass, and follow all the Refuge rules, like staying on the trail!

These are the primary goals of the Friends of Ridgefield NWR Spring Break Youth Art Contest:

• Encouraging and inspiring youth to creatively express their appreciation for animal and plant diversity;
• Spotlighting the incredible skill and talent of youth artists and providing a space for young people to express the importance of wildlife through visual art;
• Growing awareness of the rich diversity of species within the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge;
• Creating appreciation for the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and it’s interpretive features;
• Stimulating interest and curiosity in the natural world;
• Inspiring support and empathy for wildlife and increasing actions for animal and plant conservation, as well as excitement for the history and culture of our area. 

This contest was free to enter through the generous contributions of our sponsor, Craft Warehouse! If you would like to make a donation to the Friends, and support programs like this, head here.

2021 WINNERS!

The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are proud to announce the winners of our 2021 Spring Break Youth Art Contest!

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Category

1st Place
Alana Naipo, Kindergarten

Otterable Mention #1
Brooklyn Wallace, 2nd Grade

3rd – 4th Grade Category

5th – 6th Grade Category

7th – 8th Grade Category

Artwork

• All artwork becomes the property of the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Submission of the artwork grants the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license to publish your student’s/child’s artwork in Friends’ editorial, educational, and promotional print and digital materials, in our promotional and educational posts to social media, and for all other lawful uses—including artwork print sales—in furtherance of the Friends mission. All published artwork will be credited when possible.

Judging

A prestigious panel of judges helped us to select our 2021 winners!

The art was judged on four primary artistic elements:

• Concept: How well does the work relate to the nature and Refuge theme?
• Composition: How well do the elements of line and form work together?
• Color: How does color enhance the artwork?
• Expression: How imaginatively does the work convey an idea or emotion?

 

Additionally, judges paid particular attention to the concept or story that the artwork tells. We encourage artists to pay attention to the theme, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Nature.

Prizes

The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are excited to announce the awards for the 2021 contest! We will have 1st prizes for the top images for each age category, K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, as well as two Otterable Mentions in each age group, totaling 12 winners.

Please see the following for the full breakdown of awards and prize categories:

• 1st Place receives Craft Warehouse Gift Cards in each category –
  • #1: K-2nd grades
  • #2: 3-4th grades
  • #2: 5-6th grades
  • #3: 7-8th grades

• 2 “Otterable” Mentions will be chosen per category.
• All winners, including the “Otterables” will have their artwork posted on the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Website along with their names, their images will be used in outreach and promotional materials.
• All places will receive a sticker featuring their art.
• Winners will be asked to participate in National Children’s Day, June 13th, by submitting another featured piece of art.
• All winners will also receive a downloadable certificate recognizing students as contest contestants and thanking them for their creativity and support for our Refuge.

Winners will be announced and prizes distributed by the end of April 2021.

Resources

Here are some resources and ideas for getting your family started doing nature themed art!

Nature Art – 33 Activities to try

Kids painting tutorial video  

Painting Tutorial EASY for Kids & Beginners / Acrylic Floral Bouquet

How To Draw a Bird Tutorial for Kids – Easy Watercolor Bird Painting Tutorial for Beginners

HUMMINGBIRD EASY FREEHAND PAINTING / For Beginners / Watercolor Beautiful Bird Art

Easy Acrylic Painted Chickadee Bird, Acrylic Painting for Beginners