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39th Annual InFocus Competition, Exhibition & Sale 2026

Angelo's  Hall
22738 Main Street Columbia, CA  
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InFocus Committee 2026
Amber Branaugh, Dave Bonnot, Cheryl Calderaro, Rick Emery, David Goldemberg, Sue Endter, Don Hukari, Paul Judy, Tim Konrad, Laurie  Lehmann, Ron Robinson, Dianne Shannon, Barbara Stewart, Judy Stoltenberg, Thad Waterbury

PEOPLE'S CHOICE 2026
PEOPLE

Running Deer
Ashlynn Sullivan

STUDENTS CHOICE 2026
ARTISTICALLY ENHANCED

Tombstone Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Gary Johnson
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BEST IN SHOW 2026
Leaves, Light, and Shadows
Dean Taylor​

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 CHARLES MOORE AWARD 
Engineer Kylah
​George Sapp

WINNERS 2026

All Images Chosen to Hang in the Show 2026

All Images Entered 2026

WINNERS IN 2019

WINNERS IN  2020

VIRTUAL SHOW OF 2021

 WINNERS IN 2022

WINNERS IN 2023

WINNERS 2024

WINNERS 2025

WINNERS 2026

This year we are excited to be back to Angelo's Hall in Columbia California. 

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Columbia Elementary School Guests 

"When I asked a young 3rd grader why he picked this one as his favorite his reply was, "Because I like history...because I feel like I am there...because I remember it when I walk away.""
"I asked him if he wanted to be a Judge next year!"

​Laurie Lehmann~Committee Member
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  • We had 1st - 5th graders from Columbia Elementary School attend this years show. They were asked to pick their "People's Choice" Award and to write, in one word, why they chose the image they chose. Here are some of their responses.
    • Sparkles, peaceful, ice blue, lava, sunlight, relaxing, inspiring, emotional, incredible, sad, calming, graceful, soothing, unique, smug face, rays, magical, role model, extraordinary, touching, solitude, freaky, gloomy, bright. ​
  • Some didn't follow directions and had more then one word responses and are well worth noting...
    • ​"Epic scenery."
    • "To see the story of my life."
    • "It's like a whole galaxy right there!"
    • "This one reminds me of my heritage."
    • "If you get stressed out you can think it's the way life would be, no crying, no sad moments, just soothing. ​

In 2016 

  • 157 Images were hung in the show. 5 categories were featured. 
  • More then 600 people visited the Gallery in Columbia this year
  • More then 600 people voted for the Peoples' Choice Award
  • The 2nd & 3rd Grade classes from Columbia Elementary School attended the Show- More then 80 students in all
  • Columbia College brought more than 20 students from a photo class
  • Two of the Judges did a walk-through to share their insights into the judging choices
  • Video's of the walk-through were posted on our website

In 2017

  • We had 332 online entries and 166 Images hung in Angelo’s Hall
  • We had 6 categories. A new category for our 30th Anniversary, Images of Tuolumne county, was added. This image winner was chosen by the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau.   
  • We had over 1,064 visitors come through the gallery.
  • We had more then 250 Columbia Elementary Students from 1,2,3,4,5 grades visit the gallery. They learned about the categories and they chose their favorite image  
  • ​We had over 833 Peoples' Choice Award Ballots cast
  • We had two new judges representing many years of photography experience between them                     

In 2018

  • We had 975 People vist this year's show
  • We had 6 categories
  • ​94 Photographers entered photos
  • 226 Columbia El students attended
  • Of 398 images entered, 191 Images were hung in the gallery
  • 954 Peoples' Choice ballots were counted
  • We had 3 new judges that we will invite back again next year.

In 2019

  • We had over 900 people visit the show
  • 237 Columbia Elementary students visited the show
  • Hickman School participated for the first time
  • 460 images were entered and 178 images chosen to hang in Angelo’s Hall
  • We had a Peoples' Choice award where 631 participated
  • New this year, we had a Students' Choice Award where 275 students participated
  • 102 photographers entered images and 76 were represented in the show
  • Of the 6 categories, 3 were new categories  to the show
  • A photo workshop with Judge Michael Phaling was offered to anyone who entered
  • There was a walk-thru discussion with Judges Michael Phaling and Charlotte Gibb on the last day of the show​ 

In 2020- Covid 19


  • 85 photographers entered 377 images in 6 categories. At the end of the online jurying there were 66 photographers, of whose work 181 images were chosen to hang in the show.
  • All photographers received a special one year InFocus membership to Tuolumne County Arts.
  • The committee, with the help of our sponsors, purchased 10 new panels and more lights to make the show even brighter than before.
  • We offered a one day virtual sale day where the photos were at a 25% discount. We sold 11 images with $1,255 going to photographers. 
  • 145 people saw the show. This was a very challenging year.

In 2021- Virtually


* We had 455 images entered
* 180 photographers entered images
* We had photographers from California, Oregon, New Jersey, Maine, S. Carolina & Great Britain
* We added 180 artists to the Tuolumne County Arts Membership
* We had 81 photographers "virtually" hang images in the show
* We virtually hung 187 images in the show
* We awarded 27 cash prizes
* We had a hugely successful Zoom Awards Presentation with 3 pages of attendees
*In August 2021 we had 661 views of our virtual show

Comments: 2021

"Thank you so much for putting together this virtual art show. It has helped fill the void left by not being able to gather and view in person. The photographs are a joy to see and I'm grateful to every person from the photographers, to the committee members, financial supporters, and all who made this possible. Very cool."

"A friend told me about this and I was very impressed with all the photos, beautiful and amazing."

"I am never disappointed with the quality of work shown. Thank you!"

"I was thrilled to read that my image had been chosen this year. Thank you for making this event happen in these challenging times." 

"It’s a lovely show. I enjoyed sitting by the fire last night watching the images roll by. There are a number I wouldn’t mind having."

"Beautiful show! I entered, didn't win, but love the ones that did! FABULOUS! to say the least."

"Thank you very much for this wonderful honor."

"Always honored and humbled. Thank you"

"Thank you all at Infocus for the work you did to keep this show going. It's been fun to have an art moment again...."

"Thanks, guys, for all the behind the scenes work you all do. Another great show you can all be proud of producing in spite of it all this year!"

2022

  • Virtual Reception with the Judges, Kim Komenich, Jan Lightfoot and Sam Shaw. 28 people attended
  • 367 entries submitted
  • 181 images hung
  • 80 photographers entered and 63 photographers presented finished work
  • Gallery Open for live viewing for 8 days
  • 80 photographers became TCA members
  • 6 categories- Blue Zone-Natural Movement new category
  • 287 People voted for People's Choice and 119 for Students Choice
  • We had more than 550 people tour through the show
  • 4th and 5th grade Columbia Elementary School students attended
  • When we launched this years winners we had over 1,924 views of our website
  • We sold 11 images mostly on our SALE day
  • Our People's Choice and Student Choice award winner was the same image!

2023

The year of SNOW-MAGEDAN
  • Judges were Susan Bovey, Jan Lightfoot and Jeff Luhn
  • 291 entries submitted
  • 164 images hung
  • 62 Photographers presented works
  • 278 People voted Peoples Choice Ballots
  • 192 Students voted Student Choice
  • New category– All Things Tuolumne County. Sponsored by Visit Tuolumne County
  • 2nd-6th Grade Students attended from Columbia Elementary School
  • We sold 14 images
  • Weather really hampered the event this year. Snow, rain, power outages and even a TORNADO WARNING
COMMENTS 2023
"This event is 10,000 more inspiring then I thought it would be! " Swen Swenson

STUDENTS 
"I picked this one because it is beautiful and the colors in it are so good together" Iceland Coastline 

"I like this one because it brings back childhood and dreams"  Someday Sunny

"It is very clever"  Lost Sole

"Because it looks like lava but it's water being reflected by the sun."  Where Fire Falls 

"It makes me think of my horse that died and his name was Johny" Icelandic Farm Horse

"It speaks to me."  White Sands in Yucca

2024

This was my first competition.
​The experience was far more than I expected. 
Ken Cawley
  • New location in Jamestown California
  • 342 Images were entered and 169 Images were hung
  • 63 Photographers were included
  • For the first time we had 360 Jamestown Elementary Students visited from K-8th Grades
  • More than 400 Visitors Attended
  • 16 images were purchased benefitting Artists and Arts in Tuolumne County
  • Two new Judges, Dean Taylor and Richard Behee joined Jan Lightfoot

Jamestown Elementary School Students 2024

2025 Infocus 
Jamestown, CA

Dear Committee:  Thank you for a well organized and wonderful show. 
You do a great job.  See you next year.  Charlie Willard

I am overjoyed at being able to see all the entries from home.
​  Gratefully yours,~ Donna Jacobsen
 
  • 3 New Judges- Larry Angier, Kent Porter & Laurie Sylwester
  • 395 Images were entered
  • 63 Photographers were chosen to participate
  • 164 Images were chosen to hang in the show
  • 284 People attended & helped choose the People's Choice Award
  • 85 People attended the Awards Reception
  • New category was REFLECTION
  • 291 Jamestown Elementary School Students attended. 12st-8th Grades
  • 8 Images were SOLD for a total of $1,141 to the Photographers

InFocus 2026 - 39th Year

  • New date in March- Great weather
  • 3 new judges: Kimberly Olker, Michael Pegram & David L. Robertson
  • Back at Angelo’s Hall in Columbia
  • New category: Artistically Enhanced 
  • People at the reception: 145 attended
  • 163 Columbia Elementary School Students 2-5 grade
  • People attended 464
  • Total attendance; 772
  • Sales paid to photographers: $2,208
  • 367 images entered, 176 hung in the show
  • 76 Photographers entered, 57 chosen to hang​

The students choose their favorite photo and were asked to describe why… They are really learning something about photography and having a keen eye. “

​I like that it’s a horse and that it’s blurry at the bottom so you can really see the horse, every detail. The angle is good so you can see the horse and nothing else. “

It’s my favorite because when you move the painting moves.”

“I like this one because the shading is good and it has good focus.”

“This is my favorite because it reminds me of my dog that passed away.” “

​This is my favorite because it’s cool and futuristic. “Because it’s mesmerizing.”

 We would love for you to become a​ SPONSOR in 2026!

2026 Sponsors

RICK & JEANETTE EMERY

H. Randolph & Betty Holder