Building Exhibits: Life Sciences Gallery: "Capture Saskatchewan" Photo Contest
Say "Saskatchewan" and most people will think of two images: flat prairie devoted to agriculture, or a hunting and fishing paradise of rock, lakes, and trees. In fact, Saskatchewan has more variety of landscapes than any other province, with four major ecozones divided into 11 ecoregions! The challenge was how to introduce visitors to the province's great ecological diversity.
A picture is worth a thousand words, they say, so the Royal Saskatchewan Museum held a contest for amateur photographers to submit their interpretations of Saskatchewan's landscapes and wildlife. The winning photographs would be installed around a huge map of the province near the beginning of the Life Sciences Gallery. The photographs could show any season, and could include geological landforms, atmospheric and climatic phenomenon, flora and fauna. Nikon of Canada sponsored the contest and donated the prizes for the top three winners.
Of the 580 entries received, 3 were prize-winners, and another 47 were chosen as runners-up, whose work would be displayed in the exhibit and throughout the gallery. The five judges, professional photographer Linda McDowell, photography instructor Gary Robbins, wildlife film-maker Robert Long, and museum staff members Ron Tillie and David Baron, faced a difficult challenge making the selection.
And the winners were:
First place: Darcy Bowyer, Maple Creek, "Moonrise over Cypress Hills."
Second place: Tom Fulcher, Regina, "Ruffed Grouse."
Third place: Albert G. Lavallee, Willowbunch, "Sunset and lake, northern Saskatchewan."
For further information contact the Exhibits Unit