"Herndon in the Fog" by Herndon photographer Andrew Rhodes, a finalist in this year’s juried photography competition. Photo courtesy of Andrew Rhodes/ArtSpace Herndon
Those who turn out to ArtSpace Herndon on Saturday, March 8 from 7-9 p.m., will have a chance to see a colorful exhibition of images by 37 photographers from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. In addition to the exhibition, longtime photographer and competition juror D.B. Stovall will announce the first, second, and third place winners of ArtSpace’s 2014 Fine Art Photography Competition during an awards ceremony.
Stovall narrowed down the competition pool of 400 submissions by 87 photographers to 37 finalists in a difficult process of elimination that he described as a "series of difficult cuts."
"I’ve been in a lot of shows, so it was interesting to see things from the other side," said Stovall about his first experience judging a competitive photography exhibition. "It was difficult. People try to put their best work into these exhibitions and this one was no exception."
Stovall, an engineer by trade, has been a photographer on and off since he was about 15. After taking a hiatus to focus on his career, he came back to it in 2006 and began submitting to ArtSpace’s annual competition three years later taking home second place in 2011 and third place in 2013.
"They have a great gallery space. I’ve seen some community art centers that are really scraping by, but they really have a great gallery space and are doing good work," said Stovall.
Several of the 37 finalists are familiar faces in ArtSpace’s competitive juried show.
Local finalists include Reston-based photographer Jim Schlett, whose work "Beyond the Planets" remains on display on the outside wall of the gallery facing the Council Chamber, and Herndon resident Andrew Rhodes. Schlett has lived in Reston since 1981 and currently serves as President of the League of Reston Artists. His photographs have been featured in Times Square and The Washington Post.
Rhodes has only lived in Herndon since 2012, but residents with a copy of the Town of Herndon Calendar hanging in their homes may have already seen his work. Rhodes’ "Herndon in the Fog," a colorful rainy day photo he captured while walking near the bike trail last year, is featured for the month of November 2014. His picture depicting a sunset over the Town Hall is also on the cover of the calendar.
"It’s neat to be able to do something with your work in a way that other people can see it," said Rhodes. "Locally, it’s been a huge thing for me to get to know some of the art community in and around D.C."
The reception and awards ceremony for the 2014 Fine Art Photography competition will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at ArtSpace Herndon, located at 750 Center Street. For more information call the gallery at 703-956-6590.