SAAC hosts Awards Reception for The Viewfinder 2024 Photography Competition • Feb 15

SAAC’s 2024 photography competition and exhibit “The Viewfinder” is open for viewing in the Merkle and Price Galleries through March 3. The bi-annual, judged photography competition is sponsored by the “El Dorado Insider” and The Diamond Agency. An artist’s reception will be Thursday, February 15, from 5:30-7:00pm with the awards presented at 6:00pm.

“The ViewFinder” reveals the interests and imagination of shutterbugs throughout our community and beyond. Within the last two decades, technology has made cameras an everyday accessory for the masses. More people now literally have, at their fingertips, the opportunity to capture moments like never before. The environment surrounding image-making continues to evolve, creating new standards and providing new opportunities for discovery.

Photographers of all ages submitted their original images, captured with any camera and printed on varied media, for inclusion in the competition. Photographers could use basic corrective editing in the dark room or digitally, but no graphic manipulations or touch-ups were allowed. The photos had to have been taken within the last three years and not under supervision or in a classroom environment. Boasting over 60 photographs by more than 35 photographers, this year’s entries include landscapes, animals, faces and nature, as well as many other subjects from local and regional photographers.

“We are so excited to be working once again with the Diamond Agency and the ‘El Dorado Insider’ for ‘The Viewfinder’ competition,” said Laura Allen, SAAC’s executive director. “This year we are especially pleased to announce the sponsor’s purchase award for the best Union County photo. The recipient of this award will receive an additional cash prize separate from the judge’s awards. The entry will also become part of The Diamond Agency’s artwork collection, and the image will be featured in an upcoming edition of the ‘El Dorado Insider’ publication. What a great way to celebrate the beauty of Union County”

Judging this year’s competition and presenting the awards at the reception is professional photographer and 2022 and 2023 “Arkansas Professional Photographers Association (APPA) Photographer of the Year” Greg Owens, owner of Owens Image & Design in El Dorado. Owens has selected the award winning photographs for Best Union County Photo in addition to Best of Show, First, Second, Third Place, and Honorable Mention. $1200 in prize money will be presented to the winning selections during the artist’s reception.

Viewing hours for the Price and Merkle Gallery are Monday- Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.