Mystic Aquarium

MYSTIC, Conn. – Calling all scrap artists! Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., is holding its second annual Scrap Art Sculpture contest and is seeking marine-themed art created from recycled materials. Artists of all ages and abilities may submit their creations through April 23.

Guests during the aquarium’s Earth Day Celebration on April 24 will select the winner, who will be announced on April 25. The winner will receive a trophy and behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium, which includes a guided tour of the campus, access to a private touch tank, reptile encounter and stops at the top of the Coral Reef exhibit, food prep kitchen and freezer and an animal exam room.

The idea for this contest came from the Youth Conservation Core, a group of high school students who serve as ambassadors for the aquarium and its public conservation programs.

“Sea Research is dedicated to conservation and educating guests on ways they can help save our planet,” said MaryEllen Mateleska, instructor and public conservation programs manager at Mystic Aquarium. “The Scrap Art Sculpture contest is a great way to engage our guests – many of whom often participate in our public conservation programs – and get everyone thinking about creative ways items can be reused in the house and beyond.”

Last year, “Little Moe, the Sea Horse,” created by the Walls family of Uncasville, won the contest. The family – Tiffany, Eric, Travis, Emma and Nathan – used a variety of recycled materials to create a colorful seahorse, swimming in an ocean and surrounded by seaweed. A plastic container, packing Styrofoam “peanuts”, cardboard box and small pebbles made up the water, while newspaper, ripped magazine pages and aluminum foil were used to create “Little Moe.” Seaweed, constructed from paper towel rolls and plastic bag pieces, surrounded the seahorse.

All submitted sculptures must consist of at least 75 percent reusable goods, and those goods must be cleaned prior to use. The sculpture should be no larger than 30 inches long by 30 inches wide by 60 inches tall and no heavier than 25 pounds. The work must stand on its own.

This contest is open to individuals and groups of up to 15 of all ages. All art submissions must be brought to the aquarium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on April 23.

For additional rules and more information, click here. All participants must register to exhibit their art by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday, April 16.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Learning are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a non-profit, 501 (c)3 organization in Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.