MOOSE JAW — The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) held its annual Fish Artwork Contest once again this year, and with a close judgment call by around 10 of the organization’s senior staff members, this year’s winners have now been announced.
After considering an impressive 465 entries from across the province, Keilani Hill from Moose Jaw won first place, with Brynlee Weber from Edam in second and Hannah Stahl from Springwater in third place.
Keilani’s first-place entry was created in pencil crayon and featured a lake trout. “She just did a really good job,” announced Doug Gibson, the SWF’s director of education. “It was just a really good illustration.”
The SWF’s and was open to students from around the province in grades four to six. To have their artwork considered for judgment, each entry had to depict an accurate rendition of a game fish native to Saskatchewan.
To rank the entries, judges prepared a top-ten list and narrowed that list down to the best three based on everyone’s votes.
As the contest was open to all Saskatchewan-based students within the given grade range, the judges faced a deluge of entries from “All over the map.” Gibson received entries from Meadow Lake in the north, Saskatoon, Outlook, Edam, and Nipawin, along with “every other small town in between.”
Further to that, several of the envelopes contained around 20 – 30 posters each.
“It was tough,” he admitted.
The two runners-up also deserved a mention as Gibson said they were closely contested. Brynlee’s second place entry was done in watercolour, which Gibson said was rare but well executed, and Hannah’s third-place entry was a trout created in pencil crayon featuring intricate markings and colourings.
Gibson said the top three winners will each receive the same prize package this year because of how close the call was – each as little as two or three votes.
“It’s not like ‘Mine’s better than yours,’” he explained. “It’s first, second, and third place, but the only difference… was the number of votes. They were all well done.”
Each winner received a tackle box, rod, and reel, so that with a little fishing line they’re all set for their next summer fishing trip. As well, Keilani’s first place entry will be featured in the next edition of the SWF’s quarterly magazine which is mailed out for members of the organization.
On behalf of the SWF, Gibson wished to say: “thanks to all the schools for submitting (their artwork) and we look forward to seeing next (year’s entries).”
Keilani’s award-winning entry is expected to appear in the third quarter edition of the SWF’s quarterly publication Outdoor Canada West early this October.
For more information about the SWF stop by 9 Lancaster Road, visit , or call 306-692-8812.
The next Fish Artwork Contest is scheduled to take place throughout April 2025 with selections starting in early May.
