BELLE FOURCHE—The new addition at the Tri-State Museum & Center of the Nation Visitor Center hosted the 3rd Annual Belle Fourche Arts Council Rural Life Expressions Photography Contest Reception and Awards Presentation on the evening of February 22.
77 photography entries were on display along the outside of the room. This year’s theme was Rural Life Photography in the categories of Landscape, People, and Animals with the age divisions of under 18, youth and over 18, adult.
The evening started with a social time and a beautiful layout of finger foods including meats and cheeses, various olives and vegetables, sandwiches and crackers and much more. Desserts and refreshments were also offered. During this time everyone was encouraged to vote for People’s Choice Award while perusing the photography.
By the time the awards began, the room was filled with extra chairs set up around the outside of the room. Prizes were awarded to the top three in each category for both divisions as well as People’s Choice for both Youth and Adult divisions. Cash awards were given to the winners. First place received $175, second place received $100, and third place received $50. $100 was given for People’s Choice winners.
Judges for the contest were Rod Olson, Hunter Anderson and Skott Chandler. Anderson shared that he was familiar with the feelings that go along with being judged in a photography competition. “I know it’s just hard to put yourself out there being judged, and that’s a tough deal. I know what it feels like, I majored in photography and so we had to do that every week—just get cut down, it was a weekly deal,” he said.
In the Youth Division, Jack Johnson had an amazing night. He won 1st place in each of the three divisions, Landscape, People, and Animal, and his animal picture, Cat on a Post, won the People’s Choice Award.
In the Adult Division, Leith Sandness won 3rd in the Animal Division and then went on to tie with himself for two of his Animal photos for the People’s Choice Award.
Winning entries will be displayed for thirty days following the final judging. Copies of the winning photographs will be on display around town and in area businesses. “They put together a group photo of the youth and the adult winners and then we have it on display at the library, the Rec Center, and downtown business,” explained Charlotte Dougherty, BF Arts Council. “They are out there on display for a month so people get a chance to see them. We hope it encourages people who don’t usually do that type of thing—that they could do that!”
Winners:
Adult Landscape:
1st Char O’Dea – Prairie Picasso
2nd Eric Seichert – Dancing Sky
3rd Nick Krull – Over Grown
Adult Animals:
1st Eric Selchert – Fierce Grit
2nd Les Heiserman – Shelter from the Storm
3rd Leith Sandness – Say What
Adult People:
1st Roger O’Dea – Native Pride
2nd Iona McGuiggan – Window to the Soul
3rd Linda Leach – So Reel
Youth People:
1st Jack Johnson – Silhouette Patriot
2nd Rebekah Jones – Summer Sunset
Youth Animals:
1st Jack Johnson – Cat on a Post
2nd Aleah Cassens – Alice the Chicken
3rd Aleah Cassens – Wood House Toad
Youth Landscape:
1st Jack Johnson – Twilight Rails
2nd Rebekah Jones – Above it All
3rd Aleah Cassens – White Flower in Grass
People’s Choice:
Adult – Leith Sandness (tied with himself)
Youth – Jack Johnson – Cat on a Post
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