Is your child a budding photographer with a favorite photo or two that you would like to share? Children offer a different perspective of the world in looking through a camera lens, whether it be from a family vacation, of a family pet, of their everyday surroundings, or capturing a precious sight. This is something reflected in the Wilton Arts Council’s annual photography exhibit, FOCUS.
That unique perspective is illustrated by Wilton resident Megan Case’s first place award-winning photo in the High School Division of FOCUS ‘23 titled “The Watch” (seen in the main image, above). Other young FOCUS ’23 award winners recognized for their perspectives were the High School Division’s second place winner, Westport resident Charles Lukens for his photo “Eleuthera” and the Youth Division‘s first-place winner, New Canaan resident Jack Ericson for his image, “The Misty Woods.”
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Anyone with a young photographer in the family will be pleased to know that FOCUS ‘24, the Wilton Arts Council’s 24th annual photography exhibit, has a youth division for those old enough to hold a camera through 8th grade and a high school division (9th-12th grades). The high school division was started soon after the creation of FOCUS, while the youth division was created in 2006 in memory of Lenwood W. Freas, a former vice-president and active member of the Wilton Arts Council, to foster an interest by youths in photography.
Special for FOCUS ’24 is the generous support of the Wilton Kiwanis Foundation for both the high school and youth divisions to increase participation by high school students and youths. The first photo submitted by each youth and high school participant is free of charge courtesy of the Wilton Kiwanis Foundation. There is a nominal entry fee for a second photo.
Youth division photos will be displayed in the Children’s Library of the Wilton Library from March 23-April 26 in conjunction with the high school and adult division photographs in FOCUS ’24 displayed throughout other parts of the library. Awards will be presented at a reception on Friday, April 5. All youth and high school division participants will be recognized as photographers at the reception. The public may attend the reception, which runs from 6-7:30 p.m., as well as view the exhibit during normal library hours during the exhibit days.
Photographers are allowed to submit up to two photos, which must be at least 8 inches by 10 inches framed and wired for hanging. Photos may be submitted at the Wilton Library on Friday, March 15 from 12-5 p.m. and Saturday, March 16 from 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Entry forms with complete rules as well as FAQs and contact information can be obtained on the Wilton Art Council’s website.
Sponsors for FOCUS ’24 are Beardsley Traveling Art Framer, Milford Photo in Milford, and Rockwell Art and Framing in Wilton, Westport, and New Canaan. The latter two sponsors are offering discounts on framing or enlargements to entrants in preparing their entries for FOCUS ‘24; sponsors should be contacted for information about relevant discounts.
For questions regarding FOCUS ’24, please contact Beth Schneider via email or call 203.834.9986.