Since 2014, the Visitor Education Center has received over 5,000 pieces of artwork from youth representing over 200 Mississippi schools, numerous organizations, and homeschooled youth. This contest is sponsored by the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks, Marine Foundation.
See bottom of the page for Judging Criteria and FAQs. The contest is only for Mississippi students.
This contest was chosen to be featured in the National Association for Interpretation's Legacy Magazine, March/April 2026 issue, The Interpretive Canvas.
Accuracy of Species (e.g., color, markings, etc.)
Accuracy of Behavior (e.g., interactions with young, environment, etc.)
Accuracy of Habitat
Overall Wildlife Message
Creativity and Overall Composition
Originality (creativity)
Elements of Art (line, color, space, form, media, texture)
Medium (appropriate use of materials)
Use of Space (perspective and mass)
Overall Composition
Degree of Difficulty (appropriate for artist's age and ability)
The Visitor Education Center (VEC) has received many pieces of art over the years. The species depicted include, but are not limited to, the following. One species does not receive higher marks than another. See Judging Criteria for details on scoring.
These links are for reference only and are not a complete, comprehensive list of Mississippi, native species.
Common Mississippi, Freshwater Fish Species
(This PDF of freshwater fish species is also available for download and print!)
Mississippi Entomological Museum Home
(To use the MSU website, click "Family" then select "Species List.")
Guide to North American Birds | Audubon
(To use the Audubon website, select a bird, or type the species you are researching, scroll down and view the map to find out if they are a Mississippi native.)
No. The subject must be a Mississippi native species that inhabits or migrates through Mississippi. Extinct animals are not accepted. See the "How to Enter" form for more details.
No. Categories are limited to one piece per one youth.
Yes! Students of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate.
The art contest article usually appears in the Sept/Oct issue of MS Outdoors. Certificates are usually mailed in June after judging is completed and winners are notified. The address provided on the forms is the address the VEC will use to mail these items.
The judging varies from year to year. Judging is usually completed before Memorial Day weekend.
Parents and/or art teachers will be allowed to pick up artwork. Please contact your child’s art teacher to inquire about pick-up or contact the VEC at (662) 563-8688 to see if artwork is pending pick-up.
No. Judges will vary year to year.
The contest is limited to Mississippi youth.
Media accepted includes but is not limited to:
No. Photographs can only be used as guides. Photographs or images created with computer software are not accepted and will be immediately disqualified. No assistance with computer software is allowed.
No. The Contest is limited to one piece per student/youth.
