Paducah Photo 2010 Reception: Saturday, June 19

Celebrating 35 years of photography, the Paducah Photo 2010 show winners have been as young as 8 and as old as 80. Meet this year’s stars at the opening reception, 5-7 p.m., Saturday, June 19, at the Yeiser Art Center.

This year’s show was judged by Michael Johnson, professor of art at Murray State University and director of Magic Silver, one of the largest international juried photography exhibitions. Michael has taught photography at MSU for 37 years.

Originating in 1975 and formerly known as The Paducah Summer Festival Photo Competition, Paducah Photo has grown from a fledgling contest to the region’s most prestigious annual photographic event. It is open to all without restrictions on size or content, providing photographers with an outlet for their art, encouragement for growth in their vision and presentation and cash rewards for works of exceptional merit.

Each year from the hundreds of works submitted, 60 to 80 images are selected for exhibition by a highly qualified juror, with 8 to 10 of them receiving cash awards:

• First Place: $750
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250
• Honorable Mentions: $100 each

This year, a total of 1,190 photographs were submitted by 429 photographers from 18 foreign countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. A total of 1,087 entries were by photographers from 42 states including Hawaii and the District of Columbia. 

“We couldn’t be more excited about these statistics,” says Yeiser Director Michael Crouse. “We are very much looking forward to this year’s exhibit, which we’ll have on display through July 24.”

Follow this link to see all of last year’s winners!

2009 First Place: After the Water, Charity Valentine

2009 Second Place: When the Bough Breaks, Libby Rowe

2009 Third Place: Fallen Friend, Amy Bishop