avian art 2026
featuring Alaska’s wild birds by young artists
Artist: Grace Padron, age 14
Bird: Peregrine Falcon
Grace chose the Peregrine Falcon because of the connection she forged with Bird TLC’s Ambassador Peregrine Falcon, Breland, during her time as an Avian Teen Crew volunteer. Seeing a pair of wild peregrine falcons soaring above the Tanana River is one of her most memorable bird sightings of 2025.
Artist: Nora Padron, age 12
Bird: Horned Puffin
Nora’s delight with the horned puffin started at the Alaska Sea Life Center, where she spent many a visit in the bird exhibit with her avian-loving family. She then grew to appreciate them more during the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. She hasn’t seen any puffins yet in Juneau but does regularly see other birds from the Auk family!
Artist: Paige Lojewski, age 13
Bird: Willow Ptarmigan
Paige chose the Willow Ptarmigan because it’s the state bird and she sees it at her family’s farm in Willow. The painting includes Denali, forget-me-nots and fireweed.
Artist: Cillian Maples, age 14
Bird: Bohemian Waxwing
Cillian picked this bird because it is really pretty and has a lot of unique colors and designs. It is a year-round resident of Alaska and a very well-known bird.
Artist: Riverlyn Zych, age 6
Bird: Black-billed Magpie
Riverlyn drew a Magpie because “they are cute and pretty.”
Artist: Corin Harmon, age 12
Bird: Common Ravens
Artist, Corin Harmon, age 12
Bird: Peregrine Falcon
Corin likes raptors the best of any bird.
Artist: Abigail Ashmore, age 12
Bird: Snowy Owl
Abigail chose this bird because it lives in Alaska all year and it’s a beautiful and elegant animal. She thinks the painting shows how Alaska is wild but amazing with so many cool and different birds. She loves Snowy Owls and painted this because of that
Artist: Zya Cotter, age 8
Bird: Zahra, American Crow
Zya loves all of the Bird TLC Ambassador Birds.
Artist: Zan Soden, age 10
Bird: Golden Eagle
Zan chose bird because it looks cool and is powerful.
Artist: Corin Harmon, age 12
Bird: Golden Eagle
Corin loves birds of prey and also loves to draw.
Artist: Ashlyn Evans-Zirkle, age 13
Bird: Black-billed Magpie
Ashlyn chose this bird because Magpies are her favorite birds and she enjoys watching their way of life. She finds them very intriguing with their unique nature, feathers, and intelligence.
Artist: Zya Cotter, age 8
Bird: Culuk, Bald Eagle
Zya loves all of the Bird TLC Ambassador Birds.