The Department of Game and Fish is pleased to share the list of finalists.

“New Mexico is known for our great artists, and our youth are the future of our great art,” said Tristanna Bickford, communications director for the Department and art contest coordinator. “We received many beautiful entries from students across our state. These entries demonstrate how important wildlife and conservation are to the youth of our state.”

In addition, the Department would also like to take this opportunity to thank the parents and guardians of our artists for encouraging their child’s interest in the outdoors and conservation. The Department understands and appreciates that so many of you have taken on the additional duty of facilitating distance education for your children during the pandemic.

Winners will receive a Game and Fish prize bags containing fun things they can use when heading outdoors. You can check out the winning drawings and photographs next month on the Department’s social media pages, in an upcoming issue of New Mexico Wildlife magazine or in one of our monthly e-newsletters. Stay tuned!

Division 1 – Drawing

1st: Evelyn Fobes – The Leaves from Sunrise to Sunset
2nd: Evie Valdez – Nature
3rd: Sarah Weigle – River

Division 2 – Drawing

1st: Adriann Anaya – New Mexico’s wild sunsets
2nd: Ethan Lopez – New Mexico Mule Deer
3rd: Bella Ferdatta – Desert Rain

Division 3 – Photography

1st: Alina Luna – Sunrise Birds at Flight
2nd: Bianka Diaz – Promise in the Desert

Division 3 – Drawing

1st: Alina Luna – The Wildlife of the Land of Enchantment
2nd: Jacob Martinez – Mountain Life
2nd: Dominick Montoya – Welded Fish
3rd: Dominick Montoya – Fish for Dinner

Division 4 – Photography

1st: Isabella Lujan – Reflections

Theme: New Mexico’s great wildlife and wild spaces!

Eligibility (based on the grade you will enter in August 2020):
Division I – Grades K – 2
Division II – Grades 3 – 5
Division III – Grades 6 – 8
Division IV – Grades 9 – 12

The artwork will be judged by the Department of Game and Fish communications team. Winning artwork will be selected based on the following criteria (criterion is weighted equally):

• Creativity and Originality – There is evidence of imagination, creativity and individuality. The result is distinctive and the concept presented in a unique way that is imaginative and inventive.
• Technique – The student chooses and utilizes media and tools competently to enhance the appearance of the work.
• Organization – The use of elements and the principles of art are used effectively and selectively to enhance the overall appearance of the work.
• Clarity of Theme – The work combines technique, expression and organization through artistic and critical judgment to achieve an effective interpretation of the theme.
• Presentation – The presentation is in accordance with the style of the art piece and the theme of the competition. The pictures of artwork should be clear. Encourage parents to help younger children prepare their work and photograph it so the judges can clearly see what their child made.

Note: Jurors have the right to exclude any work from consideration in the contest. The decision of the jurors is final as relating to all contest matters.

All entries must be original work.

• Images traced with the use of a projector or other mechanical means are prohibited.
• Original photographs or student-directed photographs may be used by students in the development of the entry, provided the original photograph is attached to the back of the entry. Photographs not originated by the student may not be used as source material for artwork submissions.
• Entries can only be submitted electronically.
• There is no fee for entry.
• Youth can enter a maximum of one image into each category.

For questions, please contact Tristanna.Bickford@state.nm.us or (505) 476-8027.