The third annual Images of Aging photo contest officially came to an end Monday with a come-and-go buffet luncheon in the Campus Center Living Room.
Images of Aging is sponsored by the Pruett Gerontology Center, the Department of Art and Design and the Learning Studio. A total of 65 photographs were submitted, with representatives from 15 departments. Ashley Smith, freshman art major from San Antonio, said she loved using photography as a medium.
“I think it expresses life in a way that other art forms can’t,” Smith said. “It’s like looking through someone else’s eyes.”
The contest included three categories: color, black and white and mobile. Each category included a first place winner and one runner-up.
In first place for the color category was Asia Todd, with Deanna Romero as the runner-up.
In first place for the black and white category was Tara Holland, with Allye Foster as the runner-up.
In first place for the mobile category was Theo Omileru, with Brandy Rains as the runner-up.
The deadline for this year’s competition was Feb. 8. A panel of five judges then viewed and selected the photos they felt were superior. Winners received a Canon PowerShot SX 260 HS. Runner-ups were awarded Philips Bluetooth speakers.
Dr. Charlie Pruett, director of the Pruett Gerontology Center, said the purpose of the competition was threefold.
“One is to promote inter-generational activities–to get our ACU students connecting to older adults–and also to promote creativity,” Pruett said. “The third is to promote a positive image of older adults.”
Sue Garcia, administrative coordinator of the Gerontology Center, was responsible for organizing the competition. Garcia said the number of participants had increased from previous years.
“Every year it gets better,” she said.
The models for the photographs were required to sign release forms. Garcia said the photographs served as a bonding experience for students and the elderly.
“Everybody takes pictures,” Garcia said. “It’s just a lot of fun. What the pictures do is give a visual message to what we’re trying to do.”
Photographs from the Images of Aging competition will be on display in the Campus Center Living Room for one to two weeks, after which they will be moved to Brown Library.
