For over 50 years, a focused part of MSA education has been engaging the future generation of conservationists through school art and writing programs that promote river and salmon conservation, life experiences on the river, and the overall importance of a healthy and sustainable environment. Thousands of students over three generations have participated in the MSA’s school art and writing contests. Our MSA art contest has since been re-named The Bruno Bobak Memorial Art Contest in honour of the late Bruno Bobak.

Bruno Bobak (1923-2012) is considered one of Canada’s most important artists and is a national icon. His artwork hangs in major public and private collections in Canada, the United States and Europe. Bruno was also a passionate Atlantic salmon fisherman. He cherished the Miramichi and other New Brunswick rivers, and they were the subject of many of his paintings.

This contest is open to all schools and all students throughout the Miramichi River Valley, including in and around Miramichi City, with hundreds of entries each year. The MSA awards cash prizes to winners in the art and writing categories, and all participants are entered into a draw for a gift from the MSA.

Our 2023 overall art contest winner was grade six student Tori Vassallo from Max Aitken Academy. To view all of our 2023 art contest winners, please click the link below.