GON Announces First-Ever Youth Art Contest!

Artwork by Chenglin Sofia Ji, who was awarded “Best In Show” in the NRA Youth Art Contest.

Do you know a young person passionate about art? Are they also passionate about wildlife?

If so, they should enter GON’s 2025 Youth Art Contest!

GON is proud to announce our first Youth Art Contest. This exciting opportunity is for young artists in grades PreK through High School across the state of Georgia to showcase their creativity and love for Georgia’s great outdoors. This contest invites young subscribers or the minor of a subscriber to submit original artwork that encapsulates the spirit of hunting, fishing and outdoor life in Georgia.

Overview:

This contest encourages artistic expression centered around the native wildlife species of Georgia and various outdoor activities involving them. Those who enter will submit their artwork as well as a short story or description of what their submission has captured. The contest is open to youth artists across four age categories:

• Primary: Pre-K through 2^nd grade
• Elementary: 3^rd through 5^th grade
• Middle School: 6^th through 8^th grade
• High School: 9^th through 12^th grade

From each of these categories, one winner will be selected. All four winners will be contacted, mentioned in the magazine, GON.com, as well as across social media. From these, an overall Grand Prize Winner will be selected; their artwork will be displayed on a limited edition GON T-Shirt available for purchase.

The top 5 submissions in each age category will be displayed in the GON Outdoor Blast Gallery for viewing by event attendees. Event attendees can submit their vote at the Outdoor Blast for the winner to be selected.

Each winner will receive a Hobby Lobby gift card and a GON gift set.

Art by Harley Brownfield entered into the Georgia DNR wildlife art contest (source: GA DNR).

Qualifying Submissions:

Only current GON subscribers or a minor of a current GON subscriber are eligible to qualify for participation. Those who enter must be a subscriber 24 hours prior to submitting artwork.

Artwork must reflect wildlife and outdoor living in the state of Georgia. Accepted species: White-tailed deer, Duck, Black Bear, Turkey, Alligator, Dove, Opossum, Raccoon, Fox, Bobcat, Grouse, Quail, Rabbit, Snipe, Squirrel, Woodcock, Pheasant, Beaver, Coyote, Hog, Bass, Hybrid, Striper, Catfish, Crappie, Break, or GA Coastal Saltwater Fish.

Artwork must be completed between Jan. 1, 2025, and the contest end date is June 30, 2025. Artwork can be of any of the above species or people hunting or fishing those species in Georgia. Photography is not eligible for submission.

Artwork must be scanned or photographed for submission. Photos of artwork must be 300 dpi. The file size must be between 5 MB and 10 MB.

Submissions that do not include all required information will be disqualified. They must include name, subscriber number, scan/photo of artwork, brief description, email, phone number, hometown, and age.

How to Submit Entries:

Email a scan or photo of your artwork and the above additional components to [email protected].

Judging Process:

The GON team will review all submissions and select the Top 5 art pieces from each age category based on quality, composition, content, originality, uniqueness, creativity, and general appeal.

Finalists’ work will be displayed in the GON Art Gallery at the 2025 Outdoor Blast. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote by placing a ballot in the box next to each piece of artwork. The GON Team will collect the ballots and tally votes, and announce the winners from each age category.

Terms and Conditions:

By entering the contest, artists grant permission to Georgia Outdoor News to use their images of their artwork online and in print. GON, LLC may use any photo of artwork entered in the contest in print, digital, and social media. GON, LLC will provide credits to the artist when using their artwork. The artist retains all rights to their artwork and may use it in any way they choose. All qualifying participants must be a current GON subscriber 24 hours before submitting an entry. GON, LLC reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates the listed guidelines. GON, LLC is not responsible for lost or late entries. Decisions made by the GON team are final.

Artwork by Asher Copeland, which was entered into another Georgia wildlife contest (source: GA DNR).