Once again, Southeast Missourian photographers delivered with this year’s Pictures by the People show at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. Winners in eight categories were chosen from 95 entrants based on what MHAM Director Steve Whitworth called a combination of “technical skill and a magic moment.”
“Both things are important: be in the right spot right time to take a really cool photo, but it also has to be well laid out,” he explained.
The number of entries was down from last year, when there were over 100. Whitworth noticed fewer youth competitors, but their submissions had quality over quantity.
“There weren’t as many young competitors this time, but they’re really good,” he noted.
Park sisters Etta and Mollie, ages 9 and 10, won first and second place in the youth division, and Mollie also took the prize for Cutest Pet. They and the other winners all received cash prizes in varying amounts.
The photographs remain on display until the 4-H Art for Animals exhibit, which opens with an ice cream social 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, and runs through Sept. 12.
The show is a collaboration with area 4-H clubs and the University of Missouri Extension office, with funding from the Missouri Arts Council.
“This a lot of fun, to see what kind of critters are down on the farm and what our young ag artists are interested in portraying,” Whitworth said.
A gallery of the top photos can be viewed at https://www.darnews.com/gallery/42324
MHAM is located at 421 N. Main St. in Poplar Bluff. More information is available by visiting mham.org or the museum’s Facebook page, and by calling 573-686-8002 or emailing swhitworth@pbcity.com.