Mystic Aquarium

Calling all scrap artists! Sea Research Foundation’s Mystic Aquarium is holding its third annual Scrap Art Sculpture contest and is seeking marine-themed art created from recycled materials. Artists of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate and must submit their artwork on Thursday, April 21.

Guests during the aquarium’s Earth Day Celebration on April 22 & 23 will select the winner, who will be announced on April 24. 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 Corp, a group of high school students who serve as ambassadors for the aquarium and its public conservation programs.

“Sea Research Foundation 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 gets everyone thinking about creative ways items can be reused in the house and beyond.”

Last year, “Baby Eco,” created by 10-year-old Chance Gaudreau of Baltic, Connecticut, won the contest. Gaudreau used a variety of recycled materials to create “Baby Eco,” a paper penguin sitting on a bed of paper snow and blue glass water. The entire sculpture was created with recycled materials, from the sunset made with can tabs to the penguin's feet, which are computer mice. Additional materials include bottle caps, flint glass, box ties, Styrofoam, hole-punched paper, newspaper and a recycled box.

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 21. 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 15.

Click here for additional rules and more information.