The 30th annual Texas Bank and Trust Photography Exhibition and Awards Reception featured 589 entries submitted by 146 East Texas photographers, both amateur and professional. Commencing with a reception in the bank’s lobby on Whaley Street, the exhibition was a two-week extravaganza of beautiful graphic art. Winning photographers received cash prizes for their work in four categories: Fine Art, Human Interest, Landscape, and Nature. There were also the Chairman’s Award, the President’s Award, the Christmas Card Award, the OMNIClub Birthday Card Award, and Best of Show. This year there was also a new, special category–Spirit of Texas.
The bank will feature the winning photos in its 2013 Texas Bank and Trust Collector’s Calendar. By serving as judge, Eric Draper selected the photos for this calendar. Draper served as President George W. Bush’s special assistant and chief photographer. He believes all the photographers who entered the contest should have a lot to be proud of because of their work’s endless diversity and composition. He used such words as “cute, iconic, wonderful image, wonderfully technically executed, beautiful, very striking, very photographic, looks like a painting and eye-catching” to describe the entries.
Texas Bank and Trust Marketing Director Karen Partee expressed her excited enthusiasm for the event.
“We have returning and new photographers entering this year’s contest,” she said. “We had hoped for a great contest and crowd, and it turned out to exceed our expectations with 589 entrees compared to 500 the previous year. This is a great success.”
Lisa Richardson only took up photography six years ago, but earned the Chairman’s Award and Best of Show by taking both 1st and 2nd places in the Spirit of Texas category.
Dr. John Petty’s River Otter took first in the Nature category. He sees photography as an enjoyable challenge.
“I like to take on things where I can grow,” he said. “Besides, photography is stress-relieving.”
Internist Dr. Sreeman Jampana oversees a full-time medical practice, but still finds time for his photography. Despite limited time to work with his cameras, he won a third place and honorable mention in the Fine Arts and Nature categories.
Chrysalyn Barnes was delighted to win first place in the Human Interest category.
Texas Bank and Trust served punch and snacks to the photographers and their family and friends. Still, those in attendance found the gallery of photographs the main and most enjoyable attraction.
This pictorial tribute to life in East Texas will remain on display in the bank’s lobby at 300 East Whaley until Thursday, July 12. Voters may pick up ballots for the Peoples’ Choice Award until the exhibit closes. The winner will be announced Monday, July 16.
AND THE WINNERS ARE:
Fine Art
Dr. Sreeman Jampana – Honorable Mention for Colorful Sensation
Dale Lindenberg – Honorable Mention for Poppies
Jim Mitchell – Honorable Mention for Illusion
Jessica Peterson – Honorable Mention for Heart of the Hibiscus
Ben Fieblekorn – Third Place for Josie
Jimmy Salmon – Second Place for Grapes from Larry & Susan’s Vineyard
John Wrather – First Place for Pink
Human Interest
Mary White-Edwards – Honorable Mention for Trinket Seller
Bonnie Venable – Honorable Mention for A Moment of Sweetness
Jessica Barron – Honorable Mention for Here’s Looking at Ya
Bruce Taylor – Honorable Mention for Horse Whisperer
Ned Smith – Honorable Mention for Gato y Gato
Bryan Boyd – Third Place for Best Friends
Brittani Milford – Second Place for Barefoot
Chrysalyn Barnes – First Place for Time of Life
Landscape
John Wrather – Honorable Mention for The Storm
Dave Bennett – Honorable Mention for Blue Bonnet Church Yard
Don Fincher – Honorable Mention for Caddo Lake Sunset
Karen McAlister – Honorable Mention for Four of a Kind
Clark Langley – Third Place for Sunset
Richard Laughlin – Second Place for The Narrow Road
Dale Lindenberg – First Place for Caddo Lake- Fog
Nature
Kristi Thomas – Honorable Mention for Nature’s Symmetry
Deb Germain – Honorable Mention for It’s a Good Life
Elizabeth Greene – Honorable Mention for East Texas Red Foxes, Mama and Cub
Dale Lindenberg – Honorable Mention for Squirrels
J. R. Lingle – Honorable Mention for Scarlet Plant Eater
Dr. Sreeman Jampana – Third Place for Immeasurable Beauties
Andrea Simonton – Second Place for Drops
Dr. John E. Petty – First Place for River Otter
Spirit of Texas
N. Campbell Cox – Honorable Mention for Honoring Who Gave All
Ken Millett – Honorable Mention for Welcome Back to Sandy
Karen White – Honorable Mention for Texas Pride
Karen White – Honorable Mention for Rafter G Bronc
Mary White-Edwards – Third Place for Texas Sunflowers
Lisa Richardson – Second Place for Cowboys
Lisa Richardson – First Place for Rodeo Star
Human Interest
Karen White – Christmas Card Award for Winter Coats
Spirit of Texas
Donna Reader – OMNIClub Birthday Card Award for A Blast from the Past
Glenda Derveloy – President’s Award for The Alamo
Lisa Richardson – Chairman’s Award for Cowboys
Lisa Richardson – Best of Show for Rodeo Star

Karen Partee, marketing director Texas Bank and Trust, with Lisa Richardson, award winning photographer; and Eric Draper, former President George W. Bush chief photographer at the recent Texas Bank and Trust photo contest awards.
Comments