“Great execution and composition.”
“Lines,” a black-and-white photograph of the Peoria Civic Center, evoked this comment and earned Brian MacKenzie of Springfield “Best of Show” in Prairie Art Alliance’s 2014 Images of Illinois Photography Contest, sponsored by Illinois Times.
Three local professional photographers judged this year’s entries of nearly 400 images submitted by professional, amateur and children photographers from throughout central Illinois.
MacKenzie’s photo took first place in the Adult Professional – Place category, followed by second-place winner “Misty Morning” by John Maxwell Brodt of Springfield; third place “Shades of Lincoln Series Number Two” by Mark McCann of Dawson and honorable mentions for “Throw a Penny … Please” by Carrie Beard of Springfield and “Calm Field of Bradforton” by Tyler Casson of Springfield.
Other winners in the Adult Professional category – Thing: “Sip” by Bryan Campbell, first; “Caterpillar I” by Ben Romang of Rochester, second; “Calm” by Brian MacKenzie, third; and “Morning Dove Family” by Steve Hinrichs of Rochester; “Snowflake III” by Ben Romang, honorable mentions. People category: “Longest Yard” by Tyler Casson, first; “Lines” by Bryan Campbell, second; “Dreams” by Tyler Casson, third; and honorable mentions “Respect” by Richard Falzone; “Gracies Vision” by Mike McMillen of Morton.
“As a newcomer to Springfield, I really enjoyed viewing the interesting sites and perspectives captured in the photos,” said Katie Matteson, Prairie Art Alliance’s new executive director.
Matteson moved to Springfield from Wisconsin last summer and joined PAA in November after serving as event coordinator for Dancing with the Starz, the nonprofit’s major fundraiser.
Winning contest photos will be on display at Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., through April 26. The gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, noon-7 p.m., with additional hours during intermission of LRS Theatre shows.
All photo submissions will be displayed digitally at an opening reception set from 5-7 p.m. April 3. The public is invited to attend. There will be hors d’oeuvres and music.
Some of the winning images may also appear soon on the Hoogland’s parking ramp and on bus benches around town as part of Ace Sign Company’s Arts and Culture Ambassador Program. Contact Lisa Ellis at 217-502-4611 for sponsorship information.
For more about the Images of Illinois contest or Prairie Art Alliance Gallery at the Hoogland, visit www.prairieart.org.
Contact Anita Stienstra at astienstra@illinoistimes.com
Winning Photographs from Images of Illinois 2014
Adult Professional – Thing
1 – “Sip” by Bryan Campbell
2 – “Caterpillar I” by Ben Romang
3 – “Calm” by Brian D. MacKenzie
H – “Morning Dove Family” by Steve Hinrichs
H – “Snowflake III” by Ben Romang
Adult Professional – Place
1 – “Lines” by Brian D. MacKenzie
2 – “Misty Morning” by John Maxwell Brodt
3 – “Shades of Lincoln Series Number Two” by Mark McCann
H – “Throw A Penny…Please” by Carrie Beard
H – “Calm Field of Bradforton” by Tyler Casson
Adult Professional – People
1 – “Longest Yard” by Tyler Casson
2 – “Lines” by Bryan Campbell
3 – “Dreams” by Tyler Casson
H – “Respect” by Richard Falzone
H – “Gracies Vision” by Mike McMillen
Adult Amateur – People
1 – “Snow” by Brianna Skeels
2 – “Trees” by Brianna Skeels
3 – “Rest in Peace My Brother, You are not Forgotten” by John Peart
H – “Boy + Arrow” by Evan Brown
H – “A Man and His Dog” by Amanda Broyles
H – “Icy Fingers” by Mark Flotow
Adult Amateur – Place
1 – “Morning Moon” by Brian Bowles
2 – “City, Water, Light and Power” by Ramona Boston
3 – “Forlorn” by Jerry “Tony” Hutson
H – “Alone” by Evan Brown
H – “River Portal” by Liz Drake
H – “Ballon Fest” by Jerry “Tony” Hutson
H – “Chicago” by Jerry “Tony” Hutson
H – “Carillon Festival Fireworks” by June Stricker
Adult Amateur – Thing
1 – “Swing” by Amanda Broyles
2 – “Garden Wine” by Harold A. Eskew
3 – “Shadows on the Wall” by Michael Walwer
H – “Geese on a Prairie Sunset” by Evan Brown
H – “Come Back as a Weed” by Amanda Broyles
H – “Waiting for the Customer Who Only Comes at Night” by Matthew Franklin
H – “Whoa!” by Melinda K. Garner
H – “Pretty in Pink” by Melinda K. Garner
H – “Looking Up” by Jerry “Tony” Hutson
H – “Sunshine” by Jerry “Tony” Hutson
H – “Balloon Glow” by Aaron Martin
H – “The Golden Hour” by Robert Schafer
H – “Sunnyflowers” by Michael Walwer
Child (12 and Under)
1 – “Little Grand Canyon” by Lydia Lupton
2 – “Help” by Lydia Lupton
3 – “Quonset Hut, End of an Era” by J.D. Waldron
H – “Graffiti” by Owen Nickols
Child (13-17) People
1 – “I am Beautiful” by Claire B. Martin
2 – “Simply Red” by Claire B. Martin
3 – “Submerge” by Savannah Williams
H – “Alone, Together” by Claire B. Martin
Child (13-17) Place
1 – “Fair Time” by Erica Moser
2 – “Pilgrimage” by Sam Thiele
3 – “Chitown” by Sam Thiele
H – “Sunset” by Rebecca Heckel
H – “Looking Out of Shamel Manor” by Savannah Williams
Child (13-17) Thing
1 – “Conversion” by Sam Thiele
2 – “Leaning Lily to Topple Tulips” by Kyle Jones
3 – “Horseplay” by Erica Moser
H – “OIY Mate!” by Marye Campbell
H – “Mia” by Erica Moser
This article appears in Apr 3-9, 2014.
