Elsah packed their stately Museum with onlookers that really appreciated the original and nuanced views of their historic village during the 2024 Photo Exhibit Reception. April 06, was an exceptional sunny Saturday, after almost a week of cool, wet and cloudy days. It couldn’t have been a more picture perfect day. More than forty visitors clambered around the photographers and their images, making the event joyous and fulfilling!

The competition was tough; all of the images were stellar and the juror, Carmen Troesser, stated unequivocally that the work was particularly strong and very hard to jury. She even enlisted the help of a friend, also a professional photographer, in Chicago, to review her selection of winners and he agreed! A mother of a contestant stated that her grown daughter had never entered anything before, though had taken photos all of her life; she said her daughter was thrilled to be selected into the exhibit! Quite true! Quality is the most important aspect. There were two selection processes – one to be in the exhibit and the other to be selected as an awardee. The photos will be on display in Elsah;s Museum thru June, 2024.

This year’s themes were Native Species and Historic Abstractions. From elegant tree carcasses to humming birds frozen in flight – the colors, the subjects and perspectives were stunning. A Price List is available in the Museum with contact info for the photographers.

Next year, 2025, there are two new themes and new rules. You can wait for these to be posted in late June on escapetoelsah.com, Or, to start shooting immediately, these can picked up
when you view the exhibit any Saturday or Sunday between 1-4, now that the Museum is open for the season!

The list of 2024 awarded photographers are as follows:

Best of Show Purchase Award – Carolyn Schlueter for Elsah’s Native Pollinators.
First Place – Dan Kistler, for Stand By Me
Second Place – Michael Matney for Musical
Third Place – Andrew Webb, for Corner of History

Honorable Mentions –
Jeffrey Vaughn, for Architecture with Fall Trees
Suzanne Vogel, for Beauty of Nature
Ray Watsek, for Christmas Moon
and The Creative Youth Award
Sam Odhiambo, for All three if his creative images of Elsah!

Thanks to all of the museum members and helpers: Ariana Welch, Donna DeWeese, Jeff Cornelius, Sally Horbelt, Steve and Cindy Hall, who each made significant contributions to the event. And, to the Elsah Board of Trustees: Mike Pitchford, and Marge Doerr and Connie Davis, who stood in where ever there were needs. Without these amazing village residents, the event couldn’t have  happened. The entire village supports this event with financing for the Museum and its events!