PRESS RELEASE
BOISE AQUARIUM ART CONTEST
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY
CONTACT: AMMON COVINO, 353-8409

BOISE – The Boise Aquarium organization is conducting an art contest for students in all school districts within the Valley, with a $2,500 scholarship as first prize.

The contest is intended to increase students’ interest in the world’s oceans and sea creatures, while giving them a way to express their creativity, according to Ammon Covino and Chris Conk, in charge of the project intended to bring a large sea-water aquarium complex to Boise in the near future.

“We are looking forward to seeing how youngsters will depict their artistic impressions of the world’s oceans,” he said. “I’m sure this competition will result in some wonderful and interesting images.”

The contest is divided into seven categories from pre-kindergarten and kindergarten to high school juniors and seniors, with students grouped according to grade level so they are competing against others approximately their own age.

One grand prize winner will be selected and his or her entry will be displayed on Boise Aquarium promotional posters and T-shirts. In addition to receiving a $2,500 scholarship, the winning artist will get a three-year premium season aquarium pass, aquarium merchandise, and behind-the-scenes sessions with ocean-animal trainers.

One second-place winner and one third-place winner will be selected from each age category (14 total) to receive aquarium passes, merchandise, and other prizes.

No computer-generated art will be accepted, according to Theresa Van-Liew the art teacher who brought the art contest to the attention of the Board of directors of the Boise Aquarium.

“We want these youngsters to create something with their own hands, the old-fashioned way, not give us entries that have been Photoshoped,” she said.

Students must submit contest artwork to their teachers no later than May 9. Winners will be announced May 28.

For more information, send an E-mail to Covino@boiseaquarium.net. Or visit www.boiseaquarium.net the link to the art contest is on the home page.