Arts Centre photo contest attracts 196 entries

LEAMINGTON — The Leamington Arts Centre’s annual 8x10 photo contest attracted about 200 entries this year and although the gallery was closed for much of the contest’s duration, it was presented virtually and was very well received.

The contest, sponsored by Framing by Anna and Speedprint, celebrated its 19th year with this event. The exhibit had its debut in 2004 and has been a fan favourite with patrons throughout the years.

Last year’s event attracted 149 entries, so this year’s 196 shows quite a marked improvement. The record is 253 entries, set in 2018.

The contest was separated into three categories: black and white, digitally enhanced and colour.

The 56 photographers involved represented 11 different municipalities across the region.

This year’s judging panel consisted of Kyra Cole, Syx Langemann and Jason Amlin. Judging was based on visual impact, creativity, technical quality and relevance to the theme or category.

Here are this year’s winning entries:

Black and White — 1st place – 2020 by Sean Merritt; 2nd place – Camouflaged by Sara Vitale; 3rd place – Winter Storm by Catherine Fox. Honourable mention in this category went to Last Place by Logan Richard.

The Black and White category winner — “2020” by Sean Merritt.

Colour — 1st place – Roomba Light Art by Elle Reid; 2nd place – Leaves in Broken Window by Patrick Firth; 3rd place – Mirror Mirror in the Fall by Linda Hurst. Honourable mention for this category went to The Three Faces of Lily by Guiliana Badircea.

The Colour category winner — “Roomba Light Art” by Elle Reid.

Digitally Enhanced — 1st place – Solitude by Necole Sanford; 2nd place – Ice Flows by Rosemary Chaput; 3rd place – What You don’t See by Tea Fields. Honourable mention in this category went to Stop & Smell the Flowers by Aubryn Boisvert.

The Digitally Enhanced category winner — “Solitude” by Necole Sanford.

The People’s Choice Award has still yet to be announced.

Winners can stop by the LAC anytime during visiting hours to pick up their awards certificates and prizes. All participants can pick up their photos between February 2 and February 13 during regular gallery hours.