Judged Fine Art and Photography Competitions & Exhibitions

Overview

Professional and amateur photographers are invited to participate in the annual North Charleston Arts Fest Judged Photography Competition & Exhibition and compete for cash awards in two categories totaling $2,050. Categories include color and monochrome.

*NEW FOR 2026* Photo entries may be printed on photo paper and mounted on standard foam core or gator board (fully adhered to backing). Matting optional. Sponsor will attach adhesive hanging tabs to the back of each mounted print. Photographs may also be framed or printed on canvas, wood, or metal. Canvas, wood, metal, or framed prints must be ready to hang securely with wire fully across the back of work (no saw-took hangers, pre-fab hooks, or glass clip framing).

Judge

**NOTE: Due to a last minute emergency Aaron Zych was not able to judge this year’s exhibit. Professional photographer Martin Allison served as a substitute judge.** Awards for 2026 will be at the sole discretion of the judge, Aaron Zych, owner of Heart of Gold Gallery in Mount Pleasant, SC. For years, Aaron has held a deep fascination with history, particularly the personal narratives of legendary artists, musicians, and iconic figures who have shaped our cultural consciousness. Intrigued by iconic photographs, he often wondered about the specific moments captured. This inherent curiosity, combined with a passion for photography, led him to a distinguished career as an art curator and collector. In 2017, after nearly two decades of operating a fine art gallery in New York, he opened Heart of Gold Gallery, where he features works by influential photographers from around the world.

Judge’s Statement

As a Charleston native, I was deeply honored when asked to judge the photography portion of Arts Fest, where both Amateur & Professional Photographers exhibited thoughtful, provoking, and exciting works of the lowcountry, its people, and beyond. In the Professional Color & Mono categories, I was drawn to works exhibiting a strong understanding of color theory and/or tone communication, yet that also pushed the boundary of illusion in the scene through the use of notable technical skill. In the respective Amateur categories, I searched for works evoking strong storytelling emotion and strategic composition, either through the artist’s use of color and light, or shadow and contrast. I thank all of the Artists that submitted their wonderful work to Arts Fest or consideration and audience—it’s truly special to see the talent alive in our community.

-Martin Allison, 29 April 2026

2026 Winners

Professional – Color
1st place: “Sun Warmed Shadows #2” by Nathalie Watson
2nd place: “N’Dugu Chancelor” by Ms. Brown
3rd place: “Pegasus” by Spencer Owen
Honorable Mentions:
“Swamp Guardian” by Pamela Oliveras
“Watching for Remains” by Raymond Colin Murray
“Shared Tension” by KELA

Professional – Monochrome
1st place: “On Fire For (analogue 120 film)” by KELA
2nd place: “Curtain of Air” by Raymond Colin Murray
3rd place: “Barren” by Sean Hartman

Amateur – Color
1st place: “Julipa Vision” by Malena Kee
2nd place: “Blue Morning” by Jeremy H
3rd place “Kaleidoscope” by Tammy Coghill
Honorable Mentions:
“Everyday Elegance” by Kim Malecky
“Solitude” by Jemmy H.
“Beauty in Solitude” by McKayla Bohanna
“Magnolia Rest” by Craig Schwartz
“Premonition” by Malena Kee
“Lounging Lizard” by Doug Boehme

Amateur- Monochrome
1st place: “By Any Other Name” by Doug Boehme
2nd place: “Power Lines in Fog” by Linda Selleck
3rd place: “Interpret This” by Craig Schwartz
Honorable Mentions:
“The Gilded Gate” by Sam Hymas
“All You Need is Love” by Pamela Dunn
“Weathered” by Sandra Kaminsky

Submit Your Work

Entries for 2026 Competitions and Exhibitions will be accepted from noon-7pm on Monday & Tuesday, April 27 & 28, at the loading dock of the Charleston Area Convention Center. Check the prospectus for instructions (no pre-jury or application required). Call the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843-740-5854 for more information or to be added to the prospectus email list.