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Alice LeDuc and Eric Schoondergang Award of Excellence

Getting to know the Naturescape Photo Contest winners

Sunday, September 16, 2018

The threat of heavy showers didn’t keep folks from attending this year’s reception and awards presentation for the 14th Annual Naturescapes Photography Contest. The reception was held in the San Marcos Activity Center where the photos are on display in the Walker’s Gallery. The exhibit is one of the walkers favorite shows each year.

Elaine Wilson and Eric Schoondergang Award of Excellence

The contest is sponsored by the Hill Country Photography Club (HCPC) and the Hays County Master Naturalists. The Irish duo from Austin, Knockferry Bridge, entertained the audience with lively Irish tunes and encouraged audience participation.

Mary Arizpe and Carol Serur Award of Merit

Increasing public awareness of the importance of protecting our natural world, the annual contest gives photographers at all levels of experience a chance to capture, share, and receive recognition for beautiful and inspiring images. The contest is open to resident and visiting photographers of all ages and includes photographs taken in greenspaces and natural areas throughout Hays, Blanco, Comal, Guadalupe, Caldwell and Travis counties. This year’s contest received a total of 184 eligible entries from 31 photographers; one of the photographers is younger than 12 years old and three are between 13 and 18. A total of 60 entries were selected by the juror for hanging in the exhibition.

Susan Hanson and Carol Serur Award of Merit

This year’s exhibit is wonderfully diverse, including remarkable close-up images of flora and fauna as well as stunning land and waterscapes. Many of the photographers have stretched the possibilities of contemporary printing to include canvas and mirror finish metallic surfaces, prompting amazed viewers to wonder if some were actually painted and others if they were printed on glass.

Jerry Sergeant and Ann Childs Best Natural Waterscape

The juror for the contest was “Photographer of Texas,” Earl Nottingham, of Temple. Nottingham, considered one of Texas’ preeminent photographers, has had his work featured in numerous regional and national publications such as National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian Guide to America, Texas Monthly, Texas Highways and Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. He is currently the chief photographer for Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine.

Neil Decker and Carol Serur Best Youth Entry

Prizes were awarded for Best in Show, Best Youth Photo, Best Natural Waterscape, Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit. Complementing the Naturescapes exhibit, the HCPC members annually jury and display a separate themed exhibit. This year’s theme was open and “This Is Us” images were selected from among members’ recent favorites. Together the two exhibits fill the Walkers’ walls with a wonderful end of summer visual feast.

Exhibits at the Walkers’ Gallery are sponsored by the San Marcos Area Arts Council and the city of San Marcos with support from the San Marcos Arts Commission and Parks and Recreation. This exhibit will be on display through Oct. 26, and is always free and open to the public during regular Activity Center hours.

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666