Hays Arts Council hosts 40th annual competition and exhibition

By TONY GUERRERO

Tiger Media Network

The Hays Art Council is hosting its 40th Annual Five State Photography Competition and Exhibition, showcasing various works. The exhibition opened as the centerpiece of the Winter Art Walk on December 2 and will continue until Friday.

This year’s regional competition featured 671 entries from participants across Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado, all competing for cash prizes.

After careful assessment and consideration by Juror and Associated Press photographer Charlie Reidel, a selection of 160 works was chosen to be featured in the Hays Arts Center Gallery. 

“The beauty of it is when you’ve got people that come from communities all across those five states, that just ensures you’re going to get a very diverse collective form of expression.,” said Brenda Meder, director of the Hays Arts Council. 

Participants could submit a total of four photographs created in the last three years under open, people and nature. Reidel then categorized the photos into two different groups before determining which photos to display.  

In total, $1,500 in cash prizes were awarded to those who submitted their work, including Christine Burgardt from Catherine, who was surprised to learn that one of her photographs was featured in the art gallery.

“I was very shocked when I got the notice but, of course, very pleased and proud,” Bugardt said.

Burgardt graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in photography and graphic design and enjoys taking pictures as a hobby.

In her entry titled “High Plains Aerial,” she captured a plane flying over a sunflower field, releasing water, while the sun began to set in the background.

Her photograph was submitted to the nature category, earning her a cash prize of $200.

Burgardt’s brother-in-law Danny Dinkel piloted the plane. Dinkel owns a family-operated business catering to farmers and ranchers. The photograph was titled in reference to his business.

“I sat on top of my car and took a lot of pictures,” she said. “It was beautiful because nothing says Kansas like sunflowers.”

Burgardt said her photo being included in the gallery has given her encouragement to share more of her photos and possibly enter next year’s competition.

She also encourages other photographers to share their work, saying there’s no such thing as the “perfect picture.”

“It’s all in the eye of the beholder,” Burgardt said. “Put yourself out there. If you get knocked down then get up and do it again.”

Burgardt’s prize-winning photograph is one of two chosen for the exhibit after submitting a total of four photos.

More photographs from the Five State Photography Competition and Exhibition can be found here.

Meder said anyone is invited to submit their work for the next year’s competition and exhibition.

“You don’t have to come from a specific background in photography, so if you’ve got something you’d like to submit, then you’ll be able to at the 41st annual 5 State Photography,” she said.

You can find this year’s eligibility requirements, entry forms, fees and more here.

All exhibited photographs are for sale and priced at $100, with the artist receiving $60 and the Hays Art Council training $40 as commission and framing expenses.

The Hays Art Council is set to host an opening reception for two exhibitions at the Hays Arts Center at 112 E 11th St. on February 23, along with the Spring Art Walk scheduled for April 27.

The Hays Art Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

You can follow the Hays Art Council on Facebook for future events and updates. The Hays Arts Council is a non-profit agency,