The Westport Farmers’ Market is — like every other public gathering — socially distanced.
But that did not prevent dozens of young photographers from getting up close and personal with the produce and products at our town’s favorite Thursday event.
This year, 8- to 18-year-old entrants in the “Young Shoots” contest had a choice. They could showcase produce, flowers, prepared food — or anything else representative of the Farmers’ Market — at home or at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
Just as they’ve done constantly over the past 6 months, the young artists demonstrated resiliency, creativity, and spunk.
Plus a great eye.
Awards were presented — socially distanced, of course — at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center last week.
Alexander Sod won 1st place in the 11-14-year-old category for his photo, “Unraveling.” His shot also captured the overall “People’s Choice” award.
“Unraveling” (Alexander Sod)
The contest is “an incredible way to show both my creativity and my love for food –the taste, its shapes, patterns, and textures you can’t find anywhere except in nature,” he says.
Rose Porosoff placed 2nd in that age group, for “Veins.”
Other winners include:
8-10-year-old:
- 1st place: Kayla Stanley for “Rinsing Strawberries”
- 2nd place: Nakul Sethi for “The Sunset Focaccia.
“Rinsing Strawberries” (Kayla Stanley)
15 to 18-year-old
- 1st place: Morgan Freydl for “Seacoast Mushrooms”
- 2nd place: Anooshka Sethi for “Sunshine Toast.”
“Seacoast Mushrooms” (Morgan Freydl)
First place was worth $100, plus WFM merchandise. Runners-up get $50 each plus WFM swag,
Lori Cochran-Dougall, executive director of WFM, says Young Shoots is more than a food photography contest.
“Clearly it encourages creativity in young people. But it also reminds adults that kids see things with a lightness and simplicity that we might miss. To see the world of food through their eyes is refreshing.”
To see all the entries from this year’s contest, click here.
(The 7th annual “Young Shoots” contest and reception were sponsored by the Westport Farmers’ Market, in collaboration with the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center and Artists Collective of Westport.)
Alexander Sod and Westport Farmers’ Market director Lori Cochran-Dougall, at the “Young Shoots” awards ceremony.