The Easton Arts Council resumed its in-person photography reception this year after canceling it last year during the height of the Covid pandemic. The council honors and awards the contest winners at the annual show, which highlights Easton’s natural beauty with a general category that encompasses all of Connecticut. The contest is open to all, and prizes are awarded.
“The Easton Photography Contest Reception is an event the whole Easton Arts Council looks forward to each year, and after a year of not being able to present our awards in person, we were all eager to throw a party,” said Cleo Sonneborn, who co-chaired the event with Sheila Weaver.
Planning for the contest was especially rewarding this year, knowing that, once again, the photographers would come in personally with their work on receiving days, according to Sonneborn. “Many of the same people do enter each year, so it was gratifying to catch up with those photographers as well as to be able to meet new ones, in person.”
Sonneborn said she had the privilege of being in the room when Bruce Dunbar judged the contest. “I was interested in his method, which of course included several trips around the room, at first with him peering at the photos, and near the end, with him leaning in very close, studying the submissions that most interested him with obvious concentration,” she said.
“Occasionally he took notes and often he photographed the photograph. He made audible sounds, which conveyed an inner conversation going on in his mind as he moved about the room. In the end, I had no idea what photographs he would choose to select for awards, but it was clear that he worked hard at deciding during the hour or more he took, making his considerations. I admired his method very much, and we were all pleased with the explicit comments he wrote up for those photographers who received a reward,” Sonneborn said.
Following is the complete list of this year’s contest winners:
| Name | Award Categories | Title | |
| Elizabeth | Adriani | Easton – 1st Place | Connected |
| Barbara | Zionce | Easton – 2nd Place | Local Gems |
| Beth | Bailey | Easton – Honorable Mention | A Hole In One Kind Of Day |
| Jeff | Becker | Easton – Honorable Mention | Easton Grows |
| Dara | Ghavami | Easton – Honorable Mention | Upper Easton |
| Dolly | Curtis | General – 1st Place | Jammin @ Sono Art Festival |
| Nancy | Breakstone | General – 2nd Place | Into The Mist |
| Sara | Adriani | General – Honorable Mention | Former Home |
“We were able to use the wonderful tent purchased by the library to enhance our community outdoor entertainment and be able to social distance during rain or shine,” Weaver said.
Although last year’s exhibit had to be virtual, the arts council made the most of the situation and presented it grandly.
“We always get a good turn out for the reception, so the photographers and their families must look forward to the event as well,” Sonneborn said. “Catching up with old friends and new was really welcome, especially after missing out last year. Celebrating the arts and artists is what we’re about.”
Elizabeth Adriani with her photo “Connected” 
First Place Prize Winner Dolly Curtis and Tom Rudne — Sheila Weaver Photo 
Judge Bruce Dunbar and Dolly Curtis 
Beth Bailey with her photo ” Hole In One Kind Of Day” 
“Upper Easton”, Easton Category, Honorable Mention — Dara Ghavami 
“Local Gems”, Easton Category, Second Place— Barbara Zionce 
“Easton Grows,” Easton Category, Honorable Mention — Jeff Becker 
“A Hole In One Kind of Day,”Easton Category, Honorable Mention — Beth Bailey 
“Into The Mist,” General Second Place — Nancy Breakstone 
“Former Home,” General, Honorable Mention — Sara Adriani 
Dara Ghavami with his photo “Upper Easton” 
Jeff Becker with his photo “Easton Grows”
