Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009

Young Georgia artists' work sought for birding T-shirt

Kids from pre-K to high school can enter

Georgia’s annual Youth Birding Competition is hunting bird art for its T-shirts.

It will pick winners in each of three age groups: primary (pre-K through second grade), elementary (third through fifth grade), middle school (sixth through eighth grade) and high school.

One young artist's work will be replicated on the 2009 youth birding T-shirt, and that student will get a $100 gift card to Michaels. Three other winners will each get a $50 Michaels gift card for art supplies.

To enter, students must draw or paint their favorite Georgia bird on paper or sheet canvas. The artwork must be at least 8-by-10 inches, but no larger than 11-by-17 inches. Entrants are advised that bold colors typically reproduce better on T-shirts than pencil drawings.

The deadline for entries is March 16. On a separate piece of paper taped to the back of the artwork, include the participant’s name, school, age, grade level, mailing address, telephone number, parent or teacher’s e-mail address, and species of bird depicted. The bird must be native to Georgia.

Mail the artwork in a large, flat envelope to the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, YBC Art Contest, 543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield, Ga., 30055.

The limit is one entry per person.

Competitors in the birding event may retrieve their submissions during a banquet at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center on April 26, where selected artwork will be on display and the winners will be announced.

Artwork from youngsters who do not take part in the Youth Birding Competition can have their work returned by mail if they enclose a large, self-addressed envelope with three first-class stamps.