Fairfax, Va. -

In order to accommodate requests, the National Rifle Association is now accepting entries for its 2009 Youth Wildlife Art Contest through November 5. The contest, the 22nd in the annual series, is open to students in grades 1 through 12, including home-schooled children. NRA membership is not required. Winners in each grade category will receive $500. Second-place finishers will receive $250, and the third-place award will be $100.

Entries will be placed in one of four categories, based on school grade. Category I includes grades 1 through 3 and Category II is for grades 4 through 6. Category III covers grades 7 through 9, and Category IV includes grades 10 through 12. Entries may portray any North American game bird or animal that may be legally hunted or trapped. Endangered species and non-game animals, such as eagles and snakes, are not eligible subjects. Contestants may call (703) 267-1588 to confirm whether a certain animal or bird is eligible or view a complete list at http://www.nrahq.org/youth/wildlife.asp.

Contestants are limited to one entry each. Entries may be in a medium of the artist's choice (oil, water color, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, etc.). Submissions should be on good quality bond or drawing paper, or illustration board. Preferred sizes for the image are 8-1/2" x 11" or 11" x 14"; matting is optional. Entries need not be framed. Composition must be original. Photographs may be used for reference, but artwork determined to have been traced or copied from an existing photograph or work of art will be disqualified.

Entries must arrive at NRA by November 5, 2009, and must be accompanied by a brief statement signed by the student's parent, guardian, or teacher attesting to the originality of the work and verifying the artist's grade level as of November 5, 2009. In addition, the artist's name, age, home address, phone number, and grade must be printed on the back of the entry or on a note attached to the back of the entry. An optional submission form is available on the webpage for the contest. Entries will be judged on effort, creativity, anatomical accuracy, and composition.

Entries should be sent to: NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Entries will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. NRA assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged artwork, and reserves all rights to reproduce entries. The immediate families of NRA staff members are not eligible to enter. Questions regarding the contest may be directed to (703) 267-1588 or artcontest@nrahq.org.

The contest is supported through a generous gift from Jim Broering, President of AcuSport Corporation, for the creation of the James and Kathleen Broering Endowment.

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