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Detroit Zoo Launches Penguin Art Contest

By Edward Cardenas

ROYAL OAK (CBS Detroit) - Comerica Bank and the Detroit Zoo have teamed up to launch a Penguin Art Contest to coincide with debut of three new gentoo penguins at the zoo.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade can upload their best penguin artwork to the Comerica Cares Facebook page for a chance to win a $1,000 grant to their elementary school, a trip to the Detroit Zoo for their elementary school class to see the new gentoo penguins and participate in a special presentation.

"The Detroit Zoo is a longstanding pillar of the metro Detroit community and we're pleased to support this new habitat, which is sure to be enjoyed by zoo visitors and penguins alike," said Mike Ritchie, president of Comerica Bank–Michigan, in a release. "We hope this art contest inspires children to learn more about these fascinating birds, and look forward to helping introduce the contest winner and his or her classmates to the Detroit Zoo's newest breed of penguin."

The contest coincides with the arrival of three gentoo penguins Philly, Popeye and Simon earlier this month along with Comerica Bank's $50,000 contribution to the Detroit Zoological Society for the new Polk Penguin Conservation Center. The new center will open in early 2016.

"The charismatic gentoo penguin lends itself to artistic interpretation with its colorful red-orange beak, white-feather cap, peach-colored feet and long tail," said Scott Carter, Detroit Zoological Society chief life sciences officer in a release. "It is also the fastest-diving bird and can reach speeds of up to 22 miles an hour under water."

Students can use pencil or colored pencils, pen, water-color, paint, marker, crayon, for their drawing. It must be drawn on an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper, and the use of glitter or 3D paint is not permitted.

The students must be enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade at an elementary school in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw or Livingston counties to enter.

Submissions can be uploaded until Feb. 28. A panel of judges from the Detroit Zoo and Comerica Bank will then review all submissions and upload the finalists to Facebook. The public can vote for their favorite entry Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, March 27. The contest winner will be announced Monday, March 30.

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