2020 Youth Art Contest Winners

​The Kasiisi Project proudly announces the winners of the 1st Annual Kibale Conservation Youth Art Contest. We asked children ages 5 to 18 to learn about Uganda’s Kibale National Park and express what they’ve learned by drawing, painting or sculpting one of the magnificent species that call the Park home. We were dazzled by the artists’ creativity, the variety of chosen wildlife, large and small, and the powerful messages that accompanied each piece.

The winning art entries and their messages can be viewed online.
 
Contest winners were selected by a panel of four artists, scientists and conservationists. Their task was both unenviable and inspiring! 
 
Our heartfelt congratulations to the artists and thank you to all of the entrants for your truly remarkable appreciation for wildlife, near and far.
 
The 2020 KYCAC Judges

Chuck Hagner, Author of American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Wisconsin
 
Crystal Mandica, Co-Founder & Director of Education, the Amphibian Foundation, Artist

Luke Seitz, Illustrator, Photographer, Professional Bird Guide

Dave Turner, Artist, Wooden Whale Company

​Judging criteria: accuracy of species and habitat, design, artistic composition, conservation message
 
Grand Prize Winner & 1st Place Grades 5-8: Melaina Ashworth

Age: 13
Location: Georgia, USA
Species: African Elephant
Title: ‘Not Alone”
Medium: Sculpture in Clay

Conservation Message: "Elephants are one of the most intelligent species on Earth and they provide services that are important to our planet and our survival. The best motivation for everyone to respect ALL living things and stop destroying fellow creatures is in understanding that we are all connected and we need each other to survive."

Runner Up & 1st Place Grades 9-12: Tim Tusk

Age: 14
Location: Ile-de-France, France
Species: Tree Pangolin
Title: “The Threatened Burrower”
Age: 14
Location: Ile-de-France, France
Species: Tree Pangolin
Title: “The Threatened Burrower”
Medium: Colored Pencil

Conservation Message: "I chose to represent the tree pangolin, because like all pangolin species, they are really unknown animals that are poached in silence. In my drawing, I tried to represent the pangolin's back without scales to aim at their poaching."
 
Third Overall & 1st Place Grades K-2: Lucas Ginzburg-Maly

Age: 6
Location: London, England
Species: Goliath Beetle
Title: “The Red Giant”
Medium: Graphite and Collage

Conservation Message: “Insects are not easy to love and want to protect, they are not cute like pandas. People often kill insects without thinking twice, but insects are very important for our world. I chose to collage the Goliath beetle in jewels found in magazines to emphasize its beauty and preciousness."
 
1st Place Grades 6-8: Beonca Barry

Age: 10
Location: New Hampshire, USA
Species: Forest Cobra
Title: “A Fishy Lunch”
Medium: Colored Pencil

Conservation Message: "Kibale National Park is full of awesome animals! Most of the animals are endanger. All of the animals should be protected."
 
Honorable Mention: Mikita Barry

Age: 12
Location: New Hampshire, USA
Species: Hammer-Headed Mega Bat
Title: “Morning Fly”
Medium: Crayons, Ink & Pencil

Conservation Message: "The hammer-headed mega bat is an endangered animal that we know so little about. We don't know how they're reproduce. These bats arn't the only animals that are endangered. There are hundreds of other animals out there all over the world. Without these animals the world will be missing parts. Do we want that? Come on lets save the world!"

Honorable Mentions: Allie Basile

Age: 6
Location: Florida, USA
Species: Tree Pangolin
Title(s): “Looking for Ants” & “Pangolin”
Medium(s): Crayon/Pen & Acrylic

Conservation message: (1) "People can help pangolins by learning about them and teaching others what is happening to them. Conservation is important because without it animals would become extinct."; (2) “People should care about pangolins because they are the most trafficked animal in the world. I don't want them to become extinct. People can help pangolins by donating money to organizations helping pangolins.”

Honorable Mention: Simone French

Age: 13
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Species: African Honey Bee
Title: “None Too Small”
Medium: Pastel

Conservation Message: "The park is a beautiful piece of reserved land with an amazing ecosystem. People should care about the African honey bees because they help pollinate the vegetation and feed wildlife. You should care about the bees because they are an endangered species. Scientists can use a device called Broodminders to collect data about the bees and help them thrive.”
 
Honorable Mention: Clarabel Toliver

Age: 7
Location: Toronto, Canada
Species: Great Blue Turaco
Title: “Field with Two Trees & A Bird”
Medium: Pencil, Marker, Oil, Pastel & Chalk

Conservation Message: "I love all animals. The great blue turaco is beautiful and important. It helps to distribute seeds. Its feathers should not be taken and its habitat should be protected."
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2020 Kibale Conservation Youth Art Contest awards