Annie Chen Wins the 2026 Bull-Bransom Award for Salmon Run
August 20, 2026The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) is pleased to announce that Annie Chen has been awarded the 2026 Bull-Bransom Award for her illustrations in Salmon Run, also authored by Chen. This book follows a Pacific coho salmon as it begins its journey in the freshwater rivers of Washington State, travels to the vast Pacific Ocean, and finally returns to the place of its birth to spawn and begin the cycle of life once again. During this arduous adventure that spans hundreds of miles, the salmon will grow and change through five distinct stages of life: egg, alevin, fry, smolt, and adult. From river to estuary to ocean, it will hide from predators, search for food, and encounter a range of marine environments. With a careful balance of scientific accuracy and luminous illustrations, Salmon Run invites young readers to explore the remarkable life of this keystone species in the North Pacific ecosystem—and the magic of its journey home.
The Bull-Bransom Award honors outstanding achievement in children’s book illustration centered on nature and wildlife. The award is named after artists Charles Livingston Bull and Paul Bransom, who were among the first and finest American artist-illustrators to specialize in wildlife subjects and who are both represented in NMWA’s permanent collection. Both had a tremendous impact on younger artists and illustrated numerous children’s books. Museum Trustee Emerita and Bull-Bransom Award Founder, Lynn Friess, started this annual award in 2010. Friess will present Chen with her award at the Jackson Hole Book Festival on September 26, 2026 at 9:15 a.m. The public is invited to attend.
The Bull-Bransom award is determined by a jury overseen by NMWA’s curatorial department. “One of our judges this year described Chen’s illustrations as ‘dreamy’ and I couldn’t agree more,” says Chief Curator of Art, Dr. Kennis Forte. “By drawing these scenes outside of space and time, she brings us into their world, to meet these tiny fish on an intimate scale.”
Chen is an artist, designer, researcher, and author-illustrator whose work explores the relationships between science, culture, and the living world. Drawing on her background in biology and design, she creates visual stories that make complex ecological ideas feel vivid, wondrous, and alive. Her debut picture book, Salmon Run, follows a Pacific coho salmon from tiny egg to adulthood, tracing her extraordinary life cycle and the magic of her journey home. Chen is a graduate of the Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program, a Research Affiliate at the MIT Media Lab’s Community Biotechnology Initiative, and the co-founder of BEAM, a creative studio focused on climate and emerging science. She grew up among the mountains, forests, and streams of northern Georgia, and now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she remains endlessly fascinated by fish.
Chen will participate in programming with local school groups and lead a special edition of Fables, Feathers & Fur on September 25, 2026 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. She’ll read her award-winning book Salmon Run followed by a hands-on art project for our young visitors. Following the art project, please join us for a book signing. This program is geared towards ages 3-6, but all children are welcome. Admission is free for families and caregivers.
