Kristi Thielen, Tri-State Museum
Special to the Beacon
The Belle Fourche Arts Council held their second annual Rural Expressions photography contest during January and February. A culminating reception was held on Saturday, February 10, with judging, prizes awarded and a buffet of food and drink for those who attended.
There were sixty-seven photos entered in the contest, submitted by 19 contestants. Awards were offered in the categories of people, animal and landscape in both adult and youth divisions. People’s Choice winners in each category were voted on by those who visited the photographs on exhibit at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center for a week prior to the reception and at the reception. Winning photos are exhibited at the Tri-State for a week after the reception.
The Belle Fourche Arts Council has 10 members and oversees not just an annual photography contest, but also a slate of summer concerts in Herrmann Park, and the 1903 Reader’s Theatre Company.
“The quality of the photos was excellent, and judges were very impressed. Hopefully, this encourages people to continue to submit their work,” said Charlotte Dougherty, a member of the Arts Council. “It appeals to photographers because of the natural beauty of our area and what many of us do daily, in our lives. The animals; the landscape.
The Tri-State area is a rich source of inspiration for photography.”
There were 65 people at the reception and many others who came during the day to see the exhibit and vote for People’s Choice.
The number of participating photographers, submissions and even reception attendance has grown from 2023. The Arts Council is already planning for the Rural Expressions Photography Contest 2025.
This photo exhibition, contest and reception is a collaboration of the Belle Fourche Arts Council and the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center at 415 Fifth Avenue in Belle Fourche.
For more information about the 2025 Rural Expressions Photography Contest, please call 605-723-1200.
The winners are listed here. Adult Winners, People: First place Katherine George, “Contemplation of an Idea,” Second place_Charla O’Dea, “Final Farewell,” _Third place Olivia Jacobs “Adventures of Hendrix and Jackson”.
Adult Winners, Landscape: First place _Nick Kroll, “Meditation,” _Second place Olivia Jacobs, “Misty Morning,” _Third place_Roger O’Dea, “Late September”.
Adult Winners, Animals: First place Janie Mcamis, “Have a Good A$$ Day,” Second place Leith Sandness, “Last Resort,” Third place Jane Doerges, “Snail Drops”.
Youth Winners, People: First place _Iona McGuiggan, “Wandering Warrior,” _Second place Bethany McGuiggan, “Early Summer Roping”.
Youth Winners, Landscape. First place Iona McGuiggan, “A Mirror in the Sky,” Second place Aleah Cassins, “Dry Creek,” Third place Bethany McGuiggan “Early Morning Dew”.
Youth Winners, Animals: First place, Aleah Cassins, “Michelle’s Eye,” Second place, Bethany McGuiggan “Late Spring Shearing,” Third place, Jack Johnson, “Friends”
People’s Choice: Youth, Landscape: Iona McGuiggan, People: Iona McGuiggan, Animals: Jack Johnson. Adult, Landscape: Charla O’Dea, People: Katherine George, Animals: Leith Sandness.
