We received incredible submissions for this year’s 2025 Fan Art Contest, and it was nearly impossible to choose just a few to feature. Below are some standout pieces selected by Explore staff that best reflect the contest’s three categories: Wildlife, Public Lands/Water, and Habitat. You can still view the full gallery of amazing submissions on the contest page.
Winners, please email us at feedback@explore.org to claim your prize for your submissions!
1. Lessons Learned from Otis (Wildlife)
This sculpture in wool of 480 Otis is submitted for the wildlife category to remember his steady, patient, and successful presence at Brooks Falls for so many years. I am grateful to experienced glimpses of his life.
2. Natzidielly Lerma (Wildlife)
For my submission I made a stoneware ceramic sculpture of everyone’s favorite, Otis eating a fish.
3. Green River (Public Lands/Water)
This is a poem I wrote about Brooks River, Alaska, and our beloved brown bears. 
4. Ceri Witshire (Habitat)
Habitat category. My water colour brush pen painting which depicts Autumn/Fall colours in Katmai is called ‘Where are the Bears?’ The inspiration and I believe anyone could be inspired by such scenery is that the bears and Katmai’s wildlife need these spaces preserved and protected so that they can disappear from view and continue to live and hibernate in safety. My reference is a picture I took from the explore cams last year.
5. Julia Stuempel (Wildlife)
Bears are my favorite animal. I enjoy making quilted fabric art and mounting them on canvas. This is my latest addition to my “Bear Cave.”
6. Studio Prof (Wildlife)
Watercolor and gouache painting is of the paw of one of the 803 cubs “adjusting” bfl cam.
7. R Sloan (Wildlife) Oil on canvas
Dinner’s Perspective. Proof that even salmon deserve a point of view.
8. Elena B (Wildlife)
9. Joanne L. (Public Lands/Water)
This was my first Fat Bear Week and the bears have totally enchanted me! Thank you Katmai National Park and all its dedicated staff, for providing solace in an increasingly challenging world.
10. Nevaeh Thompson (Wildlife)
I chose wildlife because my piece centers on a bear, depicted as a mutated skull. While inspired by existing cinematography, I added my own style, using charcoal to emphasize texture, contrast, and mood. Hope you enjoy!
11. J. Wocky (Wildlife)
12. AL (Wildlife)
King Chunk made by 14. y.o. daughter.
