Mayor Announces Winners in Valdosta's People's Choice Photo Contest

Citizens gathered at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts on July 18 to hear the mayor announce the winners in the 8th Annual Valdosta People's Choice Photo Contest. The event, co-hosted by the Turner Arts Center and the City of Valdosta, was also supported by five category sponsors: Georgia Power, Lowndes County Animal Shelter, South Georgia Regional Commission & MPO, Valdosta-Lowndes County Tourism Authority and Valdosta Main Street.

Pricilla Sumner won the Best in Show award for her photo titled "Butterfly Kisses," which features a colorful butterfly resting on a vivid red flower. Summer received an engraved 11"x14" matted frame of her entry and $200.

From June 13 to July 13, citizens were asked to visit the Tillman Gallery at the center to vote for their favorite photos in five categories as well as a Best in Show and a Youth Best in Show. View photos.

The 2016 winners are as follows:


BEST IN SHOW
Pricilla Sumner
"Butterfly Kisses"


YOUTH BEST IN SHOW
Megan Ford, "Cloudy with a Chance of Trains"


Planes & Trains—First Place
Sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Organization
Nicholai Courtenay, "Forgotten"


Planes & Trains—Honorable Mention
Sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Organization
Leo Soileau, "At a Standstill"


Paws & Claws—First Place
Sponsored by the Lowndes County Animal Shelter
Elizabeth M. Roy, "Lazy Dayz"


Paws & Claws—Honorable Mention
Sponsored by the Lowndes County Animal Shelter
Sarah Wells, "Just Chillin"


Trees & Bees—First Place
Sponsored by Georgia Power
Sherri Gregory, "Southern Beauty"


Trees & Bees—Honorable Mention
Sponsored by Georgia Power
Marvin T. Smith, "Reflection"


Faces & Places—First Place
Sponsored by Valdosta Main Street
Christopher Capers, "Flexing in Nature"


Faces & Places—Honorable Mention
Sponsored by Valdosta Main Street
Isabel Fernald, "Carwash"


Sites & Lights—First Place
Sponsored by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Tourism Authority
Nicholai Courtenay, "City Nights"


Sites & Lights—Honorable Mention
Sponsored by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Tourism Authority
TJ Taylor, "Chase Your Dreams"


The photos will remain on display at the Turner Arts Center through July 22. In August, the 12 winning photos will go on a traveling display in various locations in the city and may also be viewed at the city's website.

For more information, call the city's Public Information Office at 229-259-3548.