BELLE FOURCHE—Taking pictures of everyday life in rural America for a chance to win a cash prize? What could be better? That’s exactly what participants in this year’s Rural Life Expressions Photography Contest did.
For the fourth year, the Belle Fourche Arts Council held its annual photography contest from February 2 through February 20. The contest reception and awards ceremony took place at the Tri-State Museum on February 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A delicious spread of finger foods and desserts, along with coffee and lemonade, was offered at the reception. All of the photos were on display.
Artists could submit two photographs per category, taken within the past three years, to be judged. The categories were People, Animals, and Landscape/Environment, with two age divisions: under 18 and 18 and older. An entry fee of $20 per four photos was charged. In addition to the judged categories, two People’s Choice Awards were also given.
Judges for the competition were Hunter Anderson, Sentel Schreier, and Heidi Stefanich. They awarded the top three photographs in each category and division. Prizes were $50 for third place, $100 for second place, and $175 for first place. An additional $100 was awarded for the People’s Choice winners.
Winners for this year’s contest were:
Adult:
People: 1) Caleb Minor, Grandpa Out the Farm; 2) Summer Busenitz, Cowboy in the Smoke; 3) Savanna Pickett-Kitzmiller, Wonder
Landscape: 1) Caleb Minor, The Old Stone House; 2) Lisa Gabriel, Humble Beauty; 3) Roger O’Dea, Golden Hour
Animals: 1) Jordan Taylor, What Moves Through the City; 2) Caleb Minor, Charlie the Charolais; 3) Edgar Simon, Untitled
Youth:
People: 1) Jack Johnson, Cowboy in the Aurora; 2) Rebekah Jones, Smile!
Landscape: 1) Jasper Gardner, Flipped Pivot; 2) Jasper Gardner, Billy Schmele; 3) Aleah Cassins, Dainty Meets Stoney
Animals: 1) Aleah Cassins, A Tiny Watcher in a Big World; 2) Jack Johnson, Cattle on the Horizon; 3) Jack Johnson, Golden Guardian
The People’s Choice winners were Golden Hour by Roger O’Dea for adults and Cowboy in the Aurora by Jack Johnson for youth.
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