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#05-277 December 26, 2005

"Real Art" contest open for grades K-12

It's that time of year again when students in grades K-12 will have a chance to show that they are "Reel Kids" by participating in the fourth annual Reel Art contest.

The Reel Art contest is an aquatic art contest that will be sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources; Congaree National Park, Duke Power, Shakespeare, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Trout Unlimited - Chattooga River Chapter, Bender-Burkot East Coast School Supplies, and Sport Fish Restoration. The contest is open to South Carolina students in kindergarten through grade 12 in public, private or home schools.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting entries. The deadline to submit artwork showing the diverse aquatic animals and aquatic habitats that exist in South Carolina is March 1, 2006. While participating in the contest, students will be given the opportunity to learn what types of fish live in South Carolina waters and what types of aquatic habitats exist.

John Early

Entries must be postmarked by Wednesday March 1, 2006, and mailed to S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Reel Art, Attn: BeBe Harrison, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202. For a copy of the rules or to receive a brochure and application, contact BeBe Harrison in the DNR Columbia office at (803) 737-8483 or by e-mail at harrisonn@dnr.sc.gov or visit the DNR Web site at http://dnr.sc.gov/screelkids. The 2005 Reel Art winner was John Early, 17, of Darlington High School.

First place, second place, third place and honorable mentions will be awarded for each age category: K-3; 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. An overall winner will also be named for the entire state. The overall winner, along with the first-place winners, will receive prizes such as fishing equipment. All winners will have their work displayed at the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic and the Best of Show will be displayed on the DNR Web site.

Students in grades 10-12 have a unique theme each year. This year's theme is "South Carolina's Coldwater Trout." Students in grades K-6 can create any fish living in South Carolina waters while students in grades 7-9 must add habitat to their work.

A list of fish that live in South Carolina will be available to teachers as well as a Sport Fish Identification Pocket Guide. The DNR Web site has a complete listing of all freshwater and saltwater fish at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/cec/educate/img/species.pdf. Aquatic activities from Aquatic Project WILD, SC MAPS, and Project WET will also be made available so that teachers may use them as follow-up activities in their classroom.

"The Reel Art contest gives students an opportunity to learn about the state's aquatic species and habitats while they create them on paper," said BeBe Harrison, Reel Art and aquatic education coordinator with the DNR. "This contest also helps promote aquatic conservation through artistic ability and creativity and shows South Carolina's diverse aquatic habitats such as ocean, estuaries, Carolina bays, mountain streams, blackwater rivers and reservoirs."

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