Photographers of all ages, both amateur and professional, are invited to take part in the Welcome to Chelsea Photo Contest. The event is organized by Chelsea Prospers, the City of Chelsea’s initiative aimed at revitalizing the downtown area, and the Facebook group Chelsea MA Photography Club, which is managed by Matt Frank, a photographer and former City Councillor.
The contest organizers are looking for images that highlight the diverse and vibrant life in this city.
“What people, places and things tell you that you are home? What image serves as invitation for others to visit Bellingham Square, Chelsea Square, Broadway? What does Chelsea mean to you? Everyone sees the city through a different lens, and we want you to show us your view!”, they state.
Submissions will be accepted through May 31, 2018, via the contest website at https://tinyurl.com/PhotoContestforChelsea. A distinguished group of judges will choose multiple winners across several categories, including Local Business, The People of Chelsea, Community, and Chelsea, Past and Present. The panel will also recommend a group of finalists for the People’s Choice award, which will be decided by public voting on the Chelsea MA Photography Club Facebook page.
All of the winning images will be printed in large format and displayed in Gallery 456, a new storefront gallery that will soon open in the former Salvation Army store on Broadway. At the end of the summer exhibit, the winners will receive their high-quality, framed images, with additional prizes going to the Best in Show and People’s Choice winners.
The judging panel includes:
- Darlene DeVita is an award-winning fine art photographer known for her portraits that convey the energy and humanity of her subjects. Her creative vision, patience, humor, and ability to work unobtrusively have made her one of the most in-demand photographers in Greater Boston. In addition to photographing weddings and exploring her fine art, Darlene takes portraits at her studio in Chelsea. She previously served as Co-Director of the Gallery@Spencer Lofts for fourteen years, was a member of the Chelsea Cultural Council, and co-founded CHARCOLL (Chelsea Artists Collaborative).
- Matt Frank is a lifelong resident of Chelsea who served on the Chelsea City Council for ten years following four years on the Planning Board. His work in government, non-profit, and community-based settings focuses on policy and project-based initiatives that benefit the public. His passion for communications and community building, along with his appreciation for the beauty of urban life, led Matt to pursue photography. He captures the essence of our beloved city with a painterly eye, celebrating the colors, textures, and moods of Chelsea’s ever-changing landscape.
- Roselee Vincent represents the 16th Suffolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, which includes the communities of Revere, Chelsea, and Saugus. A strong advocate for the arts, Rep. Vincent has served on the legislature’s Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, giving her the opportunity to meet with arts advocates across the state and understand the importance of the arts to local economies throughout the Commonwealth.
- Sury Chavez, a painter, was born in Los Angeles but spent much of her childhood in her ancestral home of Guatemala. Though she now lives in East Boston, the colors, flora, and fauna of Central America continue to influence her work. Local businesses such as The Cuscatlan, Bella Isla Express, and Pan y Café have collaborated with Sury on decorative murals and menu boards, and she is working with Chelsea’s Beautification Committee to illustrate “Welcome to Chelsea” signs for key locations throughout the city.
- Marianne Ramos is a self-taught “outsider artist” who believes that everyone can express themselves through art. A resident of Chelsea for the past 35 years, she currently serves as Program Coordinator for the Chelsea Senior Center. What initially began as a means of economic survival became the foundation of her artistic philosophy as Marianne embraces a Do-it-Yourself approach and environmental responsibility by using recycled and non-toxic materials. An extension of her civic engagement, Marianne’s works are often presented in settings that encourage community building.
In addition to the photography exhibit on Broadway, all submitted photographs will be part of a collection used to promote the City of Chelsea as a great place to live and visit. The submitted photos will be included in a collection for use by the City in materials such as municipal reports, the city website, and informational brochures.
For more information about the Welcome to Chelsea Photography Contest, visit https://tinyurl.com/PhotoContestforChelsea.