HAGERSTOWN, MD – An old proverb once said, “The goal of the teacher is for the student to surpass the teacher.”
For this year’s Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ Cumberland Valley Photographers Exhibition, the student did indeed surpass the teacher. Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) sophomore Taylor Brown, 16, of Hagerstown, won first place in the juried competition, while her teacher Kristen Green came in second place.
For this year’s competition, 40 photographs by 27 artists were accepted for the exhibition, which runs March 23—June 2, 2024, at the museum.
An opening reception Saturday, March 23, 1 to 3 p.m. includes a panel talk with the winners of the photographers exhibition and jurors Anne Gridley and Gary Graves of Gridley + Graves Photographers. The reception is free, but register in advance for the panel talk by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or [email protected].
“We’re proud of the museum’s commitment to artists within our region, and our Cumberland Valley exhibitions have a 90-year history,” said Sarah Hall, the museum’s executive director “In fact, we began showing photography as art in the early 1930s, when that was quite progressive—curators and collectors were still arguing about whether photography was an art form, but here at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts it has had a place on our exhibition schedule from the very earliest days.”
Jurors Anne Gridley and Gary Graves of Gridley + Graves Photographers also reflected on the history of photography as art in their jurors’ statement, referencing a pivotal 1978 exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art curated by the influential John Szarkowski called “Mirrors and Windows.”
They note that today the concept of photographs functioning as either ‘mirror’ or ‘window’ remains true. Photographers can use the medium to either look inward or outward, a fascinating duality that allows photography to be both intensely subjective and objective. They noted,
“Whether constructed in the studio or snapped without premeditation, photographs embody ideas: great ones draw us to them mysteriously as if absorbing our gaze,” read their jurors’ statement. “The photographs chosen for the exhibition are a small survey of contemporary and classic photography aesthetics with personal and universal appeal.”
Taylor will receive $1,000 for her first-place win “Girl in Grass.” Green won $500 for her second-place win for “Looking Back.”
Last year Brown participated in a school project focusing on the work of Dorothea Lange, a groundbreaking photojournalist known for her iconic images, particularly taken during the Great Depression.
“I decided to mimic that with the portraits that I took,” she said, which is why the image is in black and white.
“Girl in the Grass” was a spontaneous photo shoot with a classmate. Taylor said they were in a car and she pulled off to the side of the road, took out her Sony A 6500 camera, and had her subject lay in some tall grass. She took a quick picture before getting back in the car.
“I didn’t think anything of it until my teacher was, ‘Hey, this could be something special’”
At first, Taylor didn’t see how special the photograph was but has come to view it with less critical eyes.
“I think it’s a good portrait,” she said. “That motion in her eyes looks authentic, and all the textures and the grass and the freckles on her face really stand out in the black and white.”
Green said the reason she encouraged Taylor to submit her image was because of a variety of elements.
“We talk about what makes a great portrait often in class and this photograph seemed to fit those criteria in many ways, composition, framing, subject,” she said. “It’s a striking image that sticks with you and when you have that, you know you have something special.”
Green, 34, of Hagerstown. said she’s excited for the one-two win for them both.
“I have been in the show before,” Green said, “but never alongside a student so this makes it even more special.”
Her winning entry, “Looking Back,” is an image of one of her daughters during a family trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She shot it with her camera of choice, a Leica CL.
“It was a rainy and cold day, so we decided to take a train ride,” Green said. “My daughters had never been on a train before. My oldest, Shea, was fascinated and curious about the train. She was looking out the window across from me, trying to see through the fog outside when I took the picture.”
Green said when she heard Taylor took top prize, she said she was extremely proud and excited for her.
“She is a hard worker, reflective, and has a lot of talent,” Green said of her student. “She’s only a sophomore, and I know her future is bright. I love to see her be recognized for her accomplishments.”
Green said she’s humbled that both are a part of such a great exhibition. “Our museum is such a gem, it’s always an honor and experience to have your work hanging inside.”
Green sees Taylor’s win as a way to encourage future photographers.
“I would like to encourage young photographers to keep making images and put their work out there, submit when there is an opportunity to,” she said. “Lastly, I would encourage those same young artists to plan a visit to the exhibition and to become an active participants and advocates for the arts.”
The Cumberland Valley Photographers exhibition is organized by the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. This exhibition is graciously supported by Hugh and Marty Talton, Delaplaine Foundation, and Washington County Arts Council.
THE WINNERS
CUMBERLAND VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHERS WINNERS
- First Place Juror’s Award, $1,000 – Taylor Brown of Hagerstown, Maryland, “Girl in Grass,” digital photograph
- Second Place Juror’s Award, $500 – Kristen Green of Hagerstown, Maryland, “Looking Back,” digital photograph
- Third Place Juror’s Award, $250 – Valerie Dyer of Frederick, Maryland, “Into the Fog,” digital photograph
- Washington County Arts Council Inc. Award, $250 – Skyla Heise of Hagerstown, Maryland, “Gypsophila,” digital photograph
