Art Contest winners include many students from Galena

Some of the winners from this year’s Migratory Bird Calendar Contest.

By MORGAN MALEMUTE, staff writer
March 1, 2021

Three Galena students and two former students were recognized for their artwork in the Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar Contest for 2021. Another Galena student was selected for manager’s choice in our region.

“Art gives [students] a chance to be creative, think in different ways, and problem solve. Students can also learn about different issues/things going on in the world by looking at different art,” said Katie Galauska, art teacher on the SHS campus who helped Galena students with their projects.

First, she had the students prepare by showing them examples of artists who paint/draw and/or collage with birds as their subject, Ms. Galauska said.

Next, Karin Bodony, a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, come and talk to the students about which birds live here and which birds are migratory. Then former culture and arts teacher and Galena elder Cathy Evans came and taught the students Koyukon words for the birds.

Finally, Ms. Galauska taught the students how to draw different birds step by step together, and then they got to choose their own birds to draw or paint.

The Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar Contest that happens every year. Students statewide participate in it every year. Students from kindergarten to 12^th grade may enter the contest. There are regional winners and statewide winners, and their artwork is featured in a calendar.

The Galena student winners are:

Destiny Frankson

Red-Winged Blackbird

Colored pencil on paper

2021 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar

1^stplace regional

Zenae Billings

Ducks and Geese

Pencil and marker on paper

2021 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar

1^stplace regional

Kirra Sweetsir