Paul Brent 21st Annual Art Contest

Photography by Rick Cooper and Paul Brent

Young artists learn about endangered species – spotlight on the Burrowing Owl

For the last 21 years, Panama City-based artist Paul Brent has invited fourth  grade students to participate in a Bay County county-wide art contest with focus on an endangered species that is native to Florida. Other than enabling the students to compete, the event helps increase their environmental awareness. Paul Brent states,  “The students study natural history in school in the fourth  grade and, with the art contest, they learn more about endangered species. We have had as many as 17 schools and more than 1,500 participating students in recent years.” Paul Brent is renowned for his paintings that show coastal life and nature. He has gained widespread recognition both nationally and internationally.

This year the burrowing owl was chosen as the endangered animal for the fourth grade artists to depict. In other years, the dolphin, manatee, wolf, pelican, eagle, alligator, and sea turtle were featured.

This year Paul Brent gave an award for the school with the best display to Springfield Elementary School, whose teacher, Kesia Milner, built a twig ladder to showcase their project of soft sculpture owls

The grand prize went to Hanna Wright from Waller Elementary School. “Her project of a metal embossed owl with beading, feathers, and twig enhancements showed both technical skill and design that was outstanding for this year’s group of entries,” Paul Brent stated.

The children had visible fun in creating the artwork. Paul Brent praised all participants alike and remarked on the exceptional outcome of the event, “The process generated quite a lot of original works of art. I am sure the students learned a lot about the anatomy of the birds as well as having a chance to take that observation and make something totally original from their observations. There are many creative pieces of art that reflect the talent of our students as well as the quality of art instruction we have in our schools. For this we owe our art teachers a sincere ’Thank You’ for a job well done.”