Photo contest extends deadline

This is the first year of a contest that will be held annually.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A photography contest aimed at depicting the lives of Mahoning Valley residents already has produced dozens of images, but organizers are extending a deadline in hopes of landing even more submissions.
Since the CityScapes project was announced in mid-June, nearly 30 professional and amateur photographers have turned in entries, each of which may include up to three photographs.
Jean Engle, assistant director of Youngstown State University's office of marketing and communications, said Tuesday that organizers had hoped for work from about 50 people.
"We'd like to get as many entries as possible," Engle said.
With that in mind, the original July 16 deadline has been pushed back a week to 5 p.m. Friday.
Chosen for display
The contest, whose theme is "Neighborhoods: Where Our People Live," is sponsored by YSU and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Contestants have submitted work that includes images of people at work, relaxing on porches and taking in the Canfield Fair, Engle said.
Overall, the pictures paint a portrait of "people doing what they do," she added. Andrew Borowiec, an art professor at the University of Akron, will judge the entries and select 20 photographs for display over the next year at YSU's Rose Marie Smith Gallery, a public venue on Tod Hall's second floor.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the best work in three photographer categories: professional, nonprofessional and teen.
One piece will be designated for purchase by YSU. So far, virtually all the submittals have been in the professional and nonprofessional categories, Engle said.
Future plans
For the next contest, organizers will work harder to promote the event in area schools to encourage more entries from young people, she said.
Organizers intend to have a similar photography contest annually.
Different themes will be chosen for each event, such as urban landscapes, the city as garden, the city at night and architectural visions.
Cost of entering is $15 per photograph for professionals, $10 per photo for nonprofessionals and $5 per photo for teens. For an entry form and other information, contact Engle at (330) 941-3291 or e-mail her at jsengle@ysu.edu.