Each year, the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival hosts a Youth Art Contest in the celebration of migratory birds.  

The contest encourages students in kindergarten through high school to observe, understand, and ultimately share what they have learned about migratory birds. By creating a unique art entry for the contest, the students are provided an opportunity to artistically express their knowledge of the diversity, interdependence, and beauty of wildlife.  

All entries submitted for the contest were exhibited at the Harney County Chamber of Commerce during the festival weekend.

“The art pieces were a portrayal of a bird native to North America and most likely to be seen in Harney County,” Carey Goss from Malheur National Wildlife Refuge said. “Every piece displayed was creative and beautiful, and it was great to see it all in one location.” 

The contest was judged in five categories according to grade level: kindergarten, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. First, second, and third place entries were selected from each grade level by a public voting process. A total of 15 winners in the four categories were selected by a people’s choice.  

Scholarships will be awarded to the winning artists, including a $100 gift certificate for first-place winners, and the festival will use some of the winning artwork for its online gallery.  

“Praises go to all the students, educators, and supervising adults participating in the Youth Art Contest, and congratulations extend to all the winners,” Goss said. “We truly appreciate the time and effort each artist spent on producing such creative and beautiful work.”  

Winning artwork 

Kindergarten 

1st place – Brinley Clemens 

2nd place – Julianna Dzierzek 

3rd place – Ruby Hussey 

Grade 1-2 

1st place – Donte Washington 

2nd place – Courtney Murray 

3rd place – Bronson Briels 

Grade 3-5 

1st place – Sadie Davis 

2nd place – Baileigh Nisbet 

3rd place – Bayley Garoutte 

Grade 6-8 

1st place – Kimoro Kelly 

2nd place – Kilian Yarbor 

3rd place – Alice York 

Grade 9-12 

1st place – Seth Grigg 

2nd place – Kayli Dunten 

3rd place – Ashlee Hill