www.coastalamerica.gov

What a great way to show off your talents and give our ocean life some attention, too!  Break out the paint and give it your best shot.  You just could be a winner!

The Coastal America Ocean Art Contest has been created to use art to provide a visual expression of the importance of the ocean through the seven Essential Principles of ocean literacy created by the Ocean Literacy Network.  The purpose is to enhance public awareness of the importance of the ocean and to convey how personal actions affect the ocean.  It is intended that the artists will raise ocean stewardship through the paintings, drawings and photographs they create.

Grand prize winners’ artwork will be displayed at the Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History from December 2008- March 2009. To learn more about the Smithsonian NMNH visit http://www.mnh.si.edu.

Submissions:

Contestants must submit their artwork to the Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center (CELC) closest to them. For more information on participating CELC and contest rules please visit:
www.CoastalAmerica.gov. Entries must be received no later than May 30, 2008.

Eligibility:

The contest is open to all students enrolled in grades K-12 and college and university students.

Contest t Age Groups:

Group 1: Grades K-2
Group 2: Grades 3-5
Group 3: Grades 6-8
Group 4: Grades 9-12
Group 5: College and University Students

Right:  "Year of the Reef" - a painting by Wyland.

Art Work Requirements:

Log on to www.CoastalAmerica.gov for full details of entry guidelines.  Entries must be original paintings, drawings, photographs or other visual artwork created by the contestant.

Artwork should reflect one of the seven Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy.

Artwork must be two-dimensional and not exceed 24”x36”.  A narrative, not to exceed 150 words, explaining the selection of the Essential Principles should be attached to the back of the artwork.

Contestant’s full name, grade, school, contact information, teacher/ facilitator’s name must be listed on the back of the artwork.

Winners:

Regional winners will be announced and their artwork will be displayed at the sponsoring CELC. The first, second and third place winners’ artwork from each age group at each CELC will be advanced to the national competition.

For the national competition, a panel of judges will select first, second and third place winners in each age group from the entries submitted. The national competition first place winners from each age group will be invited to Washington, D.C. for a public announcement of the winners at a Coastal America ceremony that will be coordinated with the opening of the Smithsonian Ocean Hall in September 2008. The work of the national competition first, second and third place winners will be displayed at this award ceremony, and will then be exhibited at the Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History, from December 2008 through March 2009. The national competition winners will also be recognized with special awards and media coverage.

Left:  "Flight" - A photograph by Bob Talbot 

Art Work Rights:

Ownership rights in any art work which is submitted to the Art Contest shall be in accordance with the ownership provisions of the contest, found at: www.CoastalAmerica.gov.

Judging Criteria:

Artwork will be judged on visual impact, communication of the principle, and artistic merit. Each CELC will select a panel of judges for the regional competition. A panel of ocean experts and artists selected by Coastal America will judge the national competition.

The Seven Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy:

Artwork must reflect one of the Seven Essential Principles:

1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features.

2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth.

3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.

4. The ocean makes Earth habitable.

5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.

6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.

7. The ocean is largely unexplored.