Big Waters Announces Annual Summer Photo Contest People's Choice Winners

Venice residents are celebrating the artistic talent within our community as Big Waters, the local photography supply store and gallery, announced the People's Choice winners for its annual Summer Photo Contest. The highly anticipated results were shared yesterday, April 15, bringing recognition to several local photographers.

The contest, a beloved tradition in Venice, invites photographers of all skill levels to capture the essence of summer in our beautiful region. This year's entries showcased everything from stunning sunsets over the Gulf to candid moments at the historic Venice Farmers Market and vibrant wildlife scenes from the local preserves.

Taking home the top honor in the Adult category was local resident Eleanor Vance for her captivating shot titled "Golden Hour at Caspersen Beach." Her photograph, depicting a lone pelican silhouetted against a fiery orange sky, resonated deeply with voters. "I'm absolutely thrilled," Vance shared. "Venice offers endless inspiration, and I'm so grateful the community enjoyed my work."

In the Youth category (ages 17 and under), young artist Liam Chen was awarded the People's Choice for his charming photo, "Sandcastle Dreams." Chen's image, featuring children building an elaborate sandcastle near the historic Venice Fishing Pier, captured the joyful spirit of a Venice summer.

Big Waters owner, Robert "Bob" Miller, expressed his delight with this year's participation. "Every year, the quality of submissions from our local photographers astounds me," Miller stated. "It's wonderful to see the community engage so enthusiastically, both by submitting their art and by voting for their favorites. Congratulations to Eleanor and Liam, and to all who participated."

The winning photographs, along with other notable entries, are currently on display at the Big Waters gallery located on West Venice Avenue. Residents are encouraged to stop by and admire the local talent. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.