Everything about the Westport Farmers’ Market annual photo contest is special.
The name — “Young Shoots” — is quite clever.
The idea — inviting children and teenagers to honor food and farmers creatively, through fresh eyes — is important.
The setting for the awards ceremony — Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, the Market’s winter home — is both apt and beautiful.
This year’s recent evening showed off both the bounty of the Farmers’ Market, and the talent of our young local photographers.
First place winners received a cash prize, special swag and the opportunity to lead a food photo shoot with chef Bill Taibe. Second place winners earned $50. Judging was done by local artists, and the public.
First place in the 8-to-10-year-old category went to Kayla Stanley, for “Berries & Beyond.” Second place went to Juliette Newshel, for “Complementary.”
“Berries & Beyond” (Kayla Stanley)
“Complementary” (Juliette Newshel)
The 11-to-14 winner was Camille Mergenthaler (“Uniqueness of a Vegetable”). Sara Stanley placed second (“A Farmer’s Roots”).
“Uniqueness of a Vegetable” (Camille Mergenthaler)
“A Farmer’s Roots” (Sara Stanley)
There were plenty of entries in the 2 youngest categories. However, only one photographer entered the 15-to-18-year-old group. Dylan Kirsch was awarded the prize for “Scenes Around the Market.”
“Scenes Around the Market” (Dylan Kirsch)
Want to see more? Click here for all the entries.
(Young Shoots is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.)