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1. https://www.newsbug.info/rensselaer_republican/news/pacs-photography-show-features-variety-great-
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Picture perfect
PAC's photography show features variety, great creativity
By AMBER L. TOMLINSON
KVP Correspondent
Dec 23, 2021
The Prairie Arts Council's Celebrating Photography show will be held until Jan. 6.
RENSSELAER — Artists with a wide range of talent and creativity put their photography skills on display as
part of the “Celebrating Photography” exhibit hosted by the Prairie Arts Council.
The exhibition offered photographers of all ages and skill sets to participate. The annual December show had
an open theme and those who are Prairie Arts Council members could exhibit for free or a $10 fee. Nineteen
artists exhibited three entries, some that included a series of photos.
“It’s really fun to allow people to pursue their subject matter and passions in any way they want to,” said
Bonnie Zimmer, who co-chaired the exhibit with Lori Murphy.

2. Zimmer and Murphy were pleased with the sampling of all levels of the photographers at the exhibit. The
variety of subject matter also indicated the photographers’ creativity.
“The idea of celebrating photography is to be broad and I think that we did that. We had some individuals
who had some series or groupings, so there was a great variety there,” said Murphy, who is a professional
photographer. “We also had a variety of sizes which was nice.”
Murphy, a photography educator, would have liked to see a little more variety in experimenting.
“I think having my students there helped with that. There was a variety of techniques that they used,” said
Murphy, who teaches at South Newton High School.
Three South Newton students, Garrett Sammons, Dawson Cadle and Seth Durlacher, took the initiative this
semester to enhance their skills.
“They tried a number of different things, so trying a show was right up their alley,” Murphy said. “When they
learned they had won an award, their eyes lit up. They were truly, authentically excited. This really generates
more excitement for them to want to do more.”
Two of the students’ prints used a macro lens. One print was a flower and the second focused on eyelashes
and an eye. The flower print or “Gerbera Macro,” taken by Sammons, was awarded Best of Show. Murphy
said gels were used on a portrait to give an illusion of a dark alley and another picture took pieces of faces
and created a new face.
Murphy exhibited a few photographs that experimented with a slow shutter to create the look of soft, smooth
water.
“We are excited to see a photo show still being supported by the Prairie Arts Council and surrounding
counties,” Murphy said.
Alan McConnell juried the show and was pleased with the variety of images and the ages of the exhibitors.
The range of ages of the photographers was from grade-schoolers to senior citizens.
“The topics were quite diverse too, so that made it interesting,” McConnell said. “I went through it a couple of
times to get an initial feel. You go around and you fine-tune your first thoughts and come up with thoughts
about the winners.”
While McConnell judges the photos, he considers several criteria, such as the composition of the subject
matter, whether there are distracting elements, whether the highlights are blown out, and overall presentation.
McConnell has judged four shows and hosted a number of them.

3. Harley Tomlinson
McConnell, an award-winning photographer from Delphi, said the Best of Show was “very eye-catching. It is
some really nice macro work.”
The show hosted several winners. Juror’s Choice One went to Dawson Cadle for “Goofy Cubism.” Murphy
was awarded Juror’s Choice Two for “Lake Barkley Dock.” Zimmer received Juror’s Choice Three for “COVID
Family’s Portraits.” Awards of Merit were given to Sammons, John Groppe, Judy Crawford, Jackie Dobson,
Leigh Littiken and Barb Lucas. Honorable mentions were given to Seth Durlacher, Aubrey Luttrell, Barb Michal
and Abigail Rosco.
“Celebrating Photography” will be at the Prairie Arts Council until Jan. 6, 2022. The Lilian Fendig Gallery is
open on Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment. Call 219-866-5278.