Winners Announced -- Merry & Bright Bartow Photgraphy Contest

(Media Release)– The Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has honored photographer Mary Siniard with First Place in the Merry & Bright Bartow Photo Contest.  Siniard's image of a Christmas tree at Barnsley Gardens Resort's Manor House Ruins was chosen from 70 image submissions depicting holiday or unique winter scenes of local landmarks, attractions and public natural areas.  The photograph was also chosen as the People's Choice with 76 "likes" on Facebook.

A resident of Kingston, Siniard said she "enjoys photographing the beauty of Barnsley Gardens in every season."  The photographer has personal memories of the estate as she helped her father handcraft stair railings for the carriage house prior to the resort's restoration.  Siniard is a member of the Rome Photography Club and has previously received a Third Place "Shoot-out" club honor.  Her photographs have been displayed at the Bartow County Library.  Siniard used a Nikon Cool Pix 810, 26 zoom to capture the winning photograph.

Charity Chastain of Cartersville took second place honors with a snowy image of the red barn on GA 293 just south of River Road.  The photograph was taken during a January 2010 snow. This is Chastain's first award for her photographic hobby.

Third place went to a Georgia girl living in Ontario, Canada.  Robbie Hicks was honored for images she took in 2008 shortly before moving to Canada.  The graphic artist captured the Bartow County Courthouse clock tower just before 8 AM, and combined it with a shot of the moon taken from her porch in Atco.  The self-taught photographer has had gallery shows in Marietta and in Toronto.  She was previously honored with first place at the 2008 Gordon County Fair.

Serving as judges were Louis Tonsmeire, owner of Louise Tonsmeire Studios in Cartersville; Melinda Lemmon, Cartersville-Bartow County Economic Development executive director; and Kathy Lyles, CVB Board of Directors – Marketing Chair.

Winners received certificates and cash prizes.  Images will be displayed seasonally at the Georgia Visitor Information Center inside the Clarence Brown Conference Center.  The CVB will also reproduce images periodically in marketing materials, publicity releases and in advertising the community. 

For a complete look at the winning images and more see the CVB's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/VisitCartersville.  Photographers ready your cameras for the next contest beginning in late March 2013.