Wilton Arts Council held its reception and awards presentation for Focus ’18, the 20th installation of the annual photography exhibit, last Friday evening, March 9, at the Wilton Library. The event recognized the work of this year’s field of 139 participating photographers.

Awards were presented to the following:

Best of Show

Julie Frank of Norwalk, CT for “Glow” (above)

Adult Division

Rick Bannerot of Norwalk, CT for “Havana Trompe – L’oeil” (first)
Anthony Festa of New Canaan, CT for “Goblin Valley Moonset” (second)
Maritza Garzón of Norwalk, CT for “Sunset in Santorini” (third)
Robert Sachs of Norwalk, CT for “Festival Alley, India” (fourth)
Matthew Collen of Milford, CT for “Ocean City Pier” (fifth)
Patricia Benham of Stratford, CT for “Street Magician” (honorable mention)
Lisa Berger of Newtown, CT for “Malfunction Junction” (honorable mention)
Maritza Garzón of Norwalk, CT for “Night in London” (honorable mention)
Erik Landegren of Bridgewater, CT for “Sushi” (honorable mention)

High School Division

Connor Golden of Weston, CT for “Horseman” (first)
Hannah Hirsch of Chappaqua, NY for “Polluted Democracy” (second)
Jack Cromwell of Wilton for “Majesty” (third)
Brody Menzies of Mt. Kisco, NY for “Toledo” (honorable mention)
Thomas Bogaev of Weston, CT for “Night Ride” (honorable mention)
Thomas Bogaev of Weston, CT for “Native Man” (honorable mention)

Youth Division

(old enough to hold a camera through 8th grade) winners were all Wilton residents:

Aidan Thornbrough for “Self-Portrait” (first)
Erin Cromwell for “Naptime” (second)
Aidan Thornbrough for “Exhale” (third)
Fiona Conway for “Seven” (honorable mention)
Ronan Conway for “Disturbing Sights” (honorable mention)
Nate DeFeo for “NYC Rooftop at Night” (honorable mention)
Meredith Mobyed for “South for the Winter” (honorable mention)

Special Photographic Certificates of Achievement were awarded to Ralph Moraio of Wilton, age 90, for his long-term commitment to the documentary art of photography, and to Emma Lanaro of Wilton for her enthusiastic participation as this year’s youngest photographer.

Despite Wednesday’s nor’easter the evening turned out to be a fine one for strolling the library to view the 233 photographic works on display, many of which are available for sale. In addition to those who had planned to attend, many Wilton residents still without electricity due to Wednesday’s storm stayed on past the library’s normal 6 p.m. Friday closing to enjoy the reception. Reception attendees were treated to hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and the music of a live jazz quartet comprised of David Arrazinni, Dennis Hyde, Martha Lind and Richard Margo.

The judges for Focus ’18 were Sandy Gennrich of Stamford, CT, travel and landscape photographer and winner of FOCUS ’17 Best of Show; Daryl Hawk of Wilton, CT, professional photographer; and Larry Untermeyer of Westport, CT, photojournalist.

The reception was sponsored in part by Bridgewater Chocolates in Brookfield, Portofino Restaurant & Bar in Wilton, Stop & Shop of Wilton, and the Village Market in Wilton.

Sponsors for FOCUS ’18 are Alice Snyder Real Estate, Beardsley Traveling Art Framer, Milford Photo, Photographic Solutions LLC in Norwalk, and Rockwell Art & Framing.

Since its start in the mid-1990s, the Focus series of exhibits have shown a total of 4,240 photographic works taken by area photographers from some 30 towns and cities in CT and NY. Photographers have ranged in age from 5-90 years old.

The Focus ’18 photography exhibit is on display at the Wilton Library through March 29 during library hours.