Rhode Island Young Artist Tops Competition

A young artist's work is being recognized by Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.

"I like being able to express myself through different ways. I especially enjoy sketching my ideas on paper no matter how crazy they are," Mary Koushiappas said.

RWP Zoo Hosts Endangered Species Art Contest

The 11-year-old from Barrington, Rhode Island was among the many from across the country that submitted entries into Roger Williams Park Zoo's Endangered Species Youth Art Contest.

There were over 300 submissions from across New England, plus a handful from New Jersey, Arkansas and Michigan.

Her piece Blue Whale was selected as the 2025 Judges' Choice Winner.

READ MORE: Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo Welcomes Return of the Dinosaurs

"From the moment Mary could hold a crayon she loved to draw!" her mother Edel said. "She is often found creating in the playroom – whether it is sketching, painting, beadwork, crocheting, collage...the list goes on, she is always finding ways to express herself creatively through art."

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Creating Oceanic Art

"I love the ocean and have always been interested in marine life, so when I was thinking of an endangered species to paint, I immediately thought about the blue whale," Mary said.

READ MORE: Penguins Waddling Back to Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo

"I started painting an ocean scene with watercolor, but then I decided to make a collage and I cut out the blue whale I had painted and included it in my collage of the ocean which I made using clay, bubble wrap and pieces of plastic from everyday items such as plastic cups and netting from a fruit bag," she said.

The piece took about four hours to make.

Mary's work, along with the other winners in various age categories, will be available to be seen at the Big Backyard exhibit through May 2026.