The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Partnership for Youth and Wildlife Conservation and Trout Unlimited are cosponsoring the first trout stamp art contest for young artists between the ages of 13 and 18.

Each young artist will receive a certificate in recognition of his or her participation. The winning entry will receive a $1,000.00 cash prize donated by the Partnership for Youth and Conservation and Trout Unlimited. In addition, their artwork will be used for the 2005 NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's trout stamp which over 60,000 fishermen and women purchase each year. In addition, the winning artist and other selected artists will be required to participate in an evening art exhibition which will be held in January of 2006.

Submissions will be judged by a committee made up of representatives of the three cosponsors and members of the wildlife art community.

Selection of the winning entry will be based upon originality, execution and the submission's relevance to New Jersey trout fishing. Entries can be, but are not limited to, New Jersey trout fishing scenes, species of trout found in New Jersey (rainbow, brook, brown and lake trout), and pictures of equipment used in trout fishing (fishing flies, tackle, etc.).

The original design shall be no smaller than 8 1/8" high by 10" wide or no larger than 16 1/4" high by 20" wide. The design must be in full color and must proportionally reduce to a stamp size of 1" wide by 13/16" high.

The winning artist will be required to assign all reproduction rights and copyrights to the State of New Jersey, Division of Fish and Wildlife. All submissions will be returned to the artists after the completion of the contest. Do not submit designs that have been reproduced for other stamps or commercial ventures.

Interested young artists should submit their original artwork to Stephen Toth at NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400. The winner will be called, so please submit your phone number with your entry.

Entries must be submitted to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife office no later than June 1, 2004.

Inquiries on the Young Artist Trout Stamp Contest should be directed to Stephen Toth at 609-633-3616.