INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — McKee Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Waterlily Photo Contest, held in conjunction with its 11th Annual Waterlily Celebration on June 20.
Now in its sixth year, the contest drew more than 100 submissions by photographers from around the Treasure Coast and beyond. Photo submissions featured waterlilies taken at McKee in 2014 or 2015, and were classified into three categories – Color, Black and White, and Manipulated. A first, second and third place winner along with two honorable mentions were determined by a panel of judges in each of the categories. Winners also were selected in the Youth division, open to photographers ages 17 and under.
The list of winners included:
Color
1st Place: “Reflection Perfection” by Shelley Stang, Fort Pierce
2nd Place: “Waterlily Reflection” by Dave Zeller, Hallandale
3rd Place: “Spotlight” by Paul Austin, Palm Bay
Honorable Mention: “Pot of Gold” by Gerri Mahon, Vero Beach
Honorable Mention: (Untitled) by Jodi Schrowangen, Palm Bay
Black & White
1st Place: “Dew Drop Lily” by J.R. Williams, Vero Beach
2nd Place: “Lit by Light” by Patty Corapi, Indialantic
3rd Place: “The Light Seeker” by Earl Evans, West Melbourne
Honorable Mention: “Dancer” by Lee Benson, Vero Beach
Honorable Mention: (Untitled) by Jodi Schrowangen, Palm Bay
Manipulated
1st Place: “Golden Swingers” by Arlene Willnow, Fort Pierce
2nd Place: “Transformation of Color” by Tim Hinkle, Jr., Vero Beach
3rd Place: “Magic at McKee” by Mary Lou Christy, Vero Beach
Honorable Mention: “Firelight” by Richard Zalenski, Vero Beach
Honorable Mention: “Lily Maiden” by Patty Corapi, Indialantic
Youth
1st Place: “Reflection Perfection” by Caroline Frazer Mohler, Chapel Hill, NC, Age 10
2nd Place: “Lovely Lavender Lilies” by Marissa Murphy, Vero Beach, Age 15
3rd Place: “Speckled Bloom” by Joseph Frazer Mohler, Chapel Hill, NC, Age 14
Honorable Mention: “A Resting Place” by Caroline Frazer Mohler, Chapel Hill, NC, Age 10
Honorable Mention: “Perfect Landing” by Joseph Frazer Mohler, Chapel Hill, NC, age 14
In addition, a “People’s Choice” winner was chosen based on visitor votes at the Waterlily Celebration. Paul Austin’s photo “Spotlight,” which also placed third in the Color category, took home the honor.
This year’s panel of judges included Tania Ortega-Cowan, who joined fellow photographers and seasoned contest judges Louis Ciszek and Dick Robertson.
Prizes for the first, second and third place winners ranged from an annual membership to McKee to guest passes to the Garden. All of the winning photographs can be viewed on the Garden’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mckeegarden or on the McKee website at www.mckeegarden.org/events.php.
McKee Botanical Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all. McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach. Summer admission rates are $10 adults, $9 seniors and $5 children ages 3 to 12. Admission is free for members and children under 3. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. The Garden is closed Mondays.
