Tuolumne County Art's Alliance InFocus Photography Competition and Exhibition

SHOW OPEN

“We DID NOT let Covid defeat us.”

“We will not let COVID defeat us” has been the driving force to make this year’s Virtually InFocus show worthwhile and enlightening for all who play a part; photographer, spectator, committee member or judge

By hosting the 2021 show as a virtual event, we hope to keep the InFocus spirit alive and well into next near when we can all safely meet together, in person, again.

We hope you will agree that the event has maintained its magnificent quality, artistry, professionalism and charm in spite of the limitations of these times.

Best of Show –Michael Funk "Motion" –Animals Image# 14

Charles Moore Excellence in Photography Award –Alyn Brereton We Three– People Image# 133 For Sale

1st Place - Animals Amber Claunch Sea Anemone Davenport Landing Image# 11 For Sale

1st Place - Covid Connie Cassinetto A Sign of the Times Covid Times Image# 39 For Sale

1st Place - Man-Made C E Morse Terraplane Man Made Image# 119 For Sale

1st Place - Landscapes Steven Kratka Indefinite Fog Landscapes Image# 72 For Sale

1st Place - People Tim Konrad Stevie & Glenn People Image# 141 For Sale

1st Place - Plants Janet Alcalde White on White Plants Image# 153 For Sale

Columbia Elementary School Guests in 2019

In 2019 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."
"I wish it's the way life would be, no crying, no sad moments, just soothing."
"If you get stressed out you can think about this, it's like calm."
"To see the story of my life."
"It's like a whole galaxy right there!"
"This one reminds me of my heritage."

"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

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

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!"

Angelo's Hall Columbia California

We are happy to announce that we hope to be in Columbia State Park again in 2022. We're happy so many people saw the show last year, owing to all the foot traffic in the State Park. Plan on bringing your friends and family in 2022. Show them your work and the work of all the other talented photographers who participate in the annual Photography Show. While you are there you can enjoy Columbia State Park and all it has to offer!
http://www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com/
http://www.parks.ca.gov