The Westport Arts Center and the Westport Farmers’ Market Collaborate for Young Shoots Student Photography Competition

The Westport Arts Center and the Westport Farmers’ Market are excited to announce the second annual student digital photography competition, Young Shoots, for kids and teens ages 8-18.

The competition is designed to provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their creativity through the digital photography medium, and to showcase the local color and vibrancy of the Westport Farmers’ Market.

Jurors for the competition include Amanda Innes; acting Executive Director of the Westport Arts Center, Stephanie Webster; Editor in Chief for CTbites.com, and Eileen Sawyer; local photographer and member of the Westport Farmers’ Market Board of Directors.

The jurors will select winners in three age groups (8-10 years old, 11-14 years old, and 15-18 years old) and all photographs must be taken at the Westport Farmers’ Market.

All selected Young Shoots photographers will have their work showcased in a gallery-like setting at Sugar & Olives restaurant. First place winners will receive a $100 cash prize and will also have the opportunity to lead a food photo shoot with Bill Taibe, local chef extraordinaire. Second place winners in each category will win a $50 cash prize.

The community will also have a chance to vote online for their favorite submissions beginning August 20, with “Fan Favorite” winners in each age category receiving a one-year membership to the Westport Arts Center and a Westport Farmers’ Market t-shirt.

Amanda Innes stated, “Our Community Collaboration program efforts are designed to provide opportunities to learn, engage and be inspired through the arts. Young Shoots is a celebration of the artistic talent of kids and teens.”

Lori Cochran-Dougall, Executive Director of the Westport Farmers’ Market, stated, “Young Shoots captures the essence of a community growing together. The partnership between the Westport Arts Center and the Westport Farmers’ Market is in our humble opinion, spectacular. The combination of youth, arts, farmers and community are the perfect recipe.”

Submissions are due by August 14, and selected photographers will be notified August 25.  Full submission deadlines are available on westportartscenter.org.

Please visit www.westportartscenter.org or www.westportfarmersmarket.com for more information on the Young Shoots digital photography competition.