ELIGIBILITY:  Open to 4^th grade students in Public, Private or Home Schools. 

ENTRY DEADLINE:  Artwork from each participating school must be received by the GTM Research Reserve no later than April 30, 2008.   All winners’ art teacher/contest coordinator will be notified by May 30, 2008.   First place winner’s artwork will be imprinted on the GTMNERR 2008 National Estuaries Day T-shirt.  National Estuaries Day is September 27, 2008.     In addition, the following prizes will be awarded:

• 1^st Prize:  Kayak eco-tour for two with Ripple Effects Ecotours
• 2^nd Prize: Scenic boat tour on the Victory III with St Augustine Scenic Cruise (up to 4 people)
• 3^rd Prize: Family Annual Pass to the GTM Research Reserve

Winning artwork along with other entries (space permitted) will be displayed in the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center’s Exhibit Hall from August 15^th - October 4^th, 2008.

GENERAL CONTEST RULES:

• All artwork submitted to the GTM Research Reserve will become the property of the Reserve and the Friends of the Reserve for the period of time up to National Estuaries Day.   All rights for reproduction in all media including print, film, and/or video are assigned to the organizers and their sponsors to use as deemed appropriate for the goals of the contest.
• Participants may pick up their artwork after National Estuaries Day, (from September 28^th to October 4^th, 2008.)  After October 4^th, 2008, artwork becomes the property of the GTM Research Reserve.
• One artist per piece of art and one piece of art per artist.
• Artwork should reflect an original concept by the student.
• Artwork content must represent the artist’s own perception of the theme.
• * On the back of the artwork please print clearly the student's name, class/teacher, and school with address and phone #.

ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS:

Note:  Artwork received which does not meet the following specifications may be disqualified.

A.  PRESENTATION:

• Horizontal or Vertical
• Artwork needs to reflect the National Estuaries Day theme “The Estuary - Where the River Meets the Sea”.
• At least one animal that lives at the estuary should be included in the picture.
• Art may be in color or black and white.
• NO paste-ons, stenciling, or tracing.
• Art must be done freehand by the student.
• NO firm or rigid backing.  Do not mount any art.
• NO computer generated graphics

B.  PAPER: 

• Size should not exceed 11” x 17”
• Can be paper or poster board

C.  ART MATERIALS:

• Pencil, pen and ink, pens, colored pencils, markers or crayons
• Watercolors
• Acrylic paints

NO charcoal, chalk, oil paints, pastels, metallic ink, glitter, or sand

JUDGING:

A panel of judges will include GTM Research Reserve Educational Staff, Friends of the GTM Reserve Board, GTM Research Reserve Volunteer(s) and local business partner(s).  All decisions are final.

The GTMNERR is open 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm, closed State Holidays.