SCSC: "Water is Life" Art Contest: 2007 Regional Winners

The Carnegie Art Center in Mankato was host to the third annual “Water is Life” art contest on April 18^th. The contest is sponsored by the Freshwater Society of Minnesota in partnership with South Central Service Cooperative. Chosen from a pool of 31 art pieces representing five area schools, Anna Fixsen, Ashley Haas, Luke Lieske and Joe Stuewe – Le Sueur-Henderson HS; Alison Wilson – Maple River HS; and Andrew Forsyth – Mankato West HS were named semi-finalists earning the opportunity to compete at state for scholarships totaling $3,000. Participating schools included: Le Center, Le Sueur-Henderson, Mankato West, Maple River, and Montgomery-Lonsdale.

This high school competition inspires students to focus on our most precious resource and find meaningful and artistic ways to respond to the theme, “Water is Life.” The contest theme is derived from an oil painting of the same name, painted by the late Les Kouba, renowned wildlife artist, to reflect the importance of freshwater on the natural world. The Society offers three scholarships for a total of $3,000 to students who, through three-dimensional art form (sculpture), photography, or flat surface painting, find a way to best express the theme. Semi-finalists from south central Minnesota will join six semi-finalists from southeast Minnesota, northeast Minnesota, and the west Metro area for the state competition and the announcement of the scholarship winners at a gala reception May 9^th at the Gray Freshwater Institute on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.

The Freshwater Society was formed in 1968 and has been in the vanguard of promoting the scientific understanding of and responsible environmental policy for water. It has also maintained an extensive art collection and promoted art to both celebrate the beauty of water,lament its environmental degradation, and described its impact on the human condition on the natural world.

Displays of some of the artworks and attendees at the event.

Semifinalists in attendance: Andrew Forsyth, Luke Lieske, Amanda Haas, Allison Wilson